Good afternoon. My name is Aiden Edmonds. I am 24 years old and I have been in the Newhaven Foyer since October 2010. When I came to the service I had been “Street Homeless” for 6 months.

My council had not accepted me as a priority need for housing, as I had not received enough treatment for my mental health Issues. When I moved into the building I was suffering from panic attacks and high levels of anxiety. In other places of living my mental health was not allowed to be a factor. This is not the case with the Foyer. I receive regular support and all staff are aware of my issues and advised of all the responses they need to offer through my personal risk assessment.

Also the Foyer has assisted me in accessing education, namely the Open University, and has encouraged my sense of social responsibility which has led on to volunteering at a local ‘Job Club’, a local library and helping people complete a short course on basic IT Skills.

Other than this, just the daily conversation and regular ‘check-ups’ from staff are a huge emotional help. This, in my opinion, comes across as a kind of personal support I lack from family and friends.

Some people I live with find the rhythm and the situation of the building very difficult to live with, but I believe this is the smallest of compromises compared to the situation I found myself in; and I hope this is something they learn during their stay and have the motivation to use all the avenues of aid available.

I have been extremely impressed with the level of Resident Involvement/Tenant Participation, and have greatly enjoyed the opportunities to contribute to SAHA.

Finally, the assistance the service is lining up for me to move into my own accommodation is fantastic. I entered the service with nothing but some clothes and 3 books; now I have my own small flat, belongings and a future that is substantially brighter than the one I arrived with.

With the knowledge and energy proffered to me by staff, I am hoping to start an access course for University at around the same time I should move into my own council flat, secured through the Band A referrals that Newhaven Foyer has secured with our Local Authority. This is an extraordinary opportunity, given to me by people who are willing and able to offer me the prospects that my family did not.

For this I am grateful, humbled and I’m relishing the possibility of doing this service proud.

Hopefully I have been able to offer a small portion of insight into a Resident’s experience of a foyer.

Thank you for your time, and have a pleasant day.