THE BENJAMIN FOUNDATION ISSUE 87 2020
www.icenimagazine.co.uk
The Benjamin Foundation The Benjamin Foundation is a local charity which helps people across Norfolk and Suffolk to deal with some of the challenges that life throws at them. Whether it’s the prevention of youth homelessness, helping families to build stronger relationships or providing positive activities for young people with limited opportunities, our work brings hope, opportunity, stability and independence to the people we support.
Helping Young People To Take Their Next Steps We want to end youth homelessness and we’re tackling the problem locally by providing a home and support to over 100 vulnerable young people in Norfolk and Suffolk every night. We give them a stable home and the skills they need so they can forge independent lives. Joe* came to live at one of our accommodation centres in Norfolk in August 2019. Aged just 17, he found himself needing a safe place to stay following a breakdown in family relationships at home. We helped him to secure a place at college in order to get Maths and English qualifications, alongside a Bricklaying course which he found hard at first - but with the support of the staff, he worked through the difficult times.
We also supported Joe to get a part-time job. He now really enjoys earning his own money.
Joe says: “The house was a nice place to live and my room was great. We called it ‘The Penthouse’ as it was in the top of the house.” Joe has been a positive resident and has achieved a lot in a short period of time. He always came to staff when he had any problems and since being with The Benjamin Foundation, his relationship with his family has also improved and now they meet
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