YMCA Norfolk's call to open hearts and homes
YMCA Norfolk is inviting individuals and families across the county to consider becoming Supported Lodgings hosts, offering young people aged 16 to 24 a safe, stable and nurturing place to live.
At the heart of this service lies a simple but transformative idea: that opening your home can open the door to a brighter future for a young person who needs hope, encouragement and stability.
Guided by Christian values since its foundation, YMCA Norfolk believes that showing love in action is one of the most powerful expressions of faith. In Matthew 6, Jesus teaches about giving quietly and generously, saying
“your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”
For many Supported Lodgings hosts, their home becomes a quiet place of refuge, care and restoration — an act of service lived out not in words, but in everyday kindness.
Supported Lodgings provides young people with more than just a room; it offers a sense of belonging, structure and support during some of the most pivotal years of their lives. Many of these young people have faced family breakdown, uncertainty or difficult transitions out of the care system. With the right guidance, they can learn essential life skills such as budgeting, cooking, managing a routine and building healthy relationships.
One former young person described the impact beautifully:
“Supported Lodgings helped me become me again.”
Hosts receive training, ongoing support and regular check‑ins from YMCA Norfolk’s Housing Engagement Workers. They also receive
£140 per week to help cover the practical costs of providing a welcoming home. While this financial support ensures hosting is accessible to more households, it is the desire to make a difference that motivates the vast majority of hosts.
One current host shared:
“I love seeing young people progress, even in the small things. It’s a blessing to be part of the journey.”
YMCA Norfolk is seeking hosts from all walks of life, individuals, couples, families and retirees, who can offer a spare room and a heart for encouraging young people as they take steps towards independence. No formal qualifications are required, just patience, compassion and a willingness to walk alongside someone during a formative chapter of their life.
Anyone interested in learning more about becoming a Supported Lodgings host is encouraged to get in touch with YMCA Norfolk’s team for an informal conversation.
Contact:
📞 01603 621263
📧 supportedlodgings@ymcanorfolk.org
🌐 www.ymcanorfolk.org/supportedlodgings