Your home or your education? Which would you choose?

Case Studies

Michael, Karibu Foyer, Nottingham
Jake, Bristol Foyer
Kymberley, Sleaford Foyer.
Natalie, Welwyn Hatfield Foyer
Ryan, Bath Foyer
Kasim, Focus Foyer Birmingham

 
“Whilst I was living in Karibu Foyer in Nottingham I was studying for a full-time two year AS-level course in English language, media studies, law, and government and politics. Whilst on the course I turned 19 and was told that my entitlement to housing benefit would be stopped if I wanted to continue studying. I was determined to finish my degree and so had to get a job to pay my rent. The only job I could get was as a waiter with shifts finishing as late as 3am, and then I had to attend college during the day. I rapidly started to loose weight, suffer from insomnia and neglect my studies. I never understood why the Government was making my life so difficult. I already had a hard time growing up and just wanted to get a good education in order to get a good job. Finishing my degree was the hardest thing I ever had to do. But I made it and I am now studying law at Nottingham Trent University. Hardly any young people in my situation would have been able to complete their course (I almost didn’t) and go on to live fulfilled lives. That’s why it is so essential that the Government scrap the 16 Hour Rule.”.
Michael, Karibu Foyer, Nottingham

“I was informed of Bristol Foyer by a youth worker and then went on a tour and applied for a place. Until then I was living on the streets and occasionally living on mates’ floor.

I was homeless, a victim of abuse, kicked out from my family home for being gay and was severely depressed.

Whilst in the Foyer I completed my profile of achievement and enjoyed the experience. It involved learning basic skills, cookery, IT, yoga, dance etc. The Foyer is helping me to gain more training and makes me feel safe. I am now self-employed and work as a freelance event manager. I would like to study and get to university but I’m unable to because of the 16 Hour Rule”.
Jake, Bristol Foyer

“I was unfairly evicted from my flat and moved into an emergency hostel. It was an awful place that smelled of rotting food, stale cigarette smoke and unwashed people. My adviser from Connexions gave me an application form for Sleaford Foyer. I was nervous when moved in, but as soon as the other residents starting talking to me I felt a lot better.

Two months later I am Resident Representative of my Foyer and I’m the person that helps make residents, both old and new, feel more relaxed in our home.

At the moment I am suffering from depression and this is the reason I gave up on my performing arts course two years ago. Now I am just starting to get to the bottom of the reasons behind my depression and want to get back into performing arts. But I will be 19 by the time I can get back into a college course and will loose my entitlement to housing benefit. This is not fair and I want the legislation changed so that we can get full-time education and still have help with housing benefit”.
Kymberley, Sleaford Foyer resident.

“Before I became homeless I was living with my ex-boyfriend. When I moved out I found out that I could move into the Foyer where my brother lived. The support from the staff in the Foyer is brilliant. I want to go to college full-time for two years to become a beauty therapist, but I can’t as I will loose all my benefits. It is very frustrating as it is something I have always wanted to do. I am disappointed in the government as they make out that education is important but people like me over 19 don’t get a chance”.
Natalie, Welwyn Hatfield Foyer

I was living with my dad in a small village. He suffers from schizophrenia. I had a lot troubles in my life in the previous four years and was very depressed trying to come to terms with it all. A month before I left my dad got sectioned again. I was left on my own with only my grandparents bringing me food. I completely lost my motivation for college and my life was very rapidly on a downward spiral. After a month of being alone I simply broke down. It just wasn’t the right place for me to live. When we found the leaflet for the Bath Foyer, it seemed perfect. It was the best change I had had in my life for years, possibly ever. I am now attending a music course at City and Bath college, learning about my first love (music obviously…). I am part of the millennium volunteer scheme and I am the vice chairman and social representative on the Bath Foyer tenants’ association. My life is on the up. The sky’s my limit”.
Ryan, Bath Foyer

"I have been a resident at Focus Foyer since March 2006, after falling out with my parents. When I moved into the Foyer I was unemployed and claiming housing benefit. I recently gained a place at Birmingham College of Food and Tourism to study Health and Social Studies. But because of the 16 Hour Rule I can not continue to claim housing benefit and study full-time because I am over 19. If I start my course I will be unable to pay my rent and will be forced to move out, making me homeless. I can not get a full-time job whilst studying full-time. Even if I find a part-time job it’s unlikely that the pay will be substantial enough for me to pay my rent anyway. All I want to do is to study so I can get a good job and contribute to society. Why do I have to choose between my home or my study?"

Kasim, Focus Foyer Birmingham

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