Earls Court YMCA is a residential project for young homeless people aged between 16 and 25 years.  Residents may stay with us for up to 2 years, but they are normally expected to move on sooner.  We have 24 rooms, each with en-suite facilities and a shared kitchen.  Residents have access to a TV lounge, a recreation room, computers, board games and books.  There is also a garden with a barbecue.

Our residents come from different social, economic and ethnic backgrounds; often they have been disadvantaged long before they became homeless.  When they arrive, they invariably need security and support.  Those referred to Earls Court YMCA include young people leaving local authority care, young people on Tagging Orders, young people on Drug Treatment and Testing Orders, ex-offenders, Asylum Seekers, those who have encountered sexual, physical and emotional abuse; survivors of domestic violence, substance misusers and young people with mental health issues.

Vacancies are offered in the first instance to the Young Persons Homeless Advisor of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.  Very occasionally they may be offered to other Homelessness organisations via Hostels On-Line.

Earls Court YMCA offers individual support and guidance to residents through Keyworking which covers emotional problems, life-skills, social skills and employment or training opportunities.  Specialist support services are accessed, if necessary.  We also help each resident to develop their own agreed Action Plan, to plan their resettlement and to work towards future independence.   It is a condition of acceptance that residents are prepared to work with us to develop their life skills.  There are regularly Residents Meetings at which they can offer feed-back to staff members: we aim to be needs-led and encourage residents to identify further areas of support or activities which they would like us to provide.

Our Programme of Opportunities offers residents development in mind, body and spirit and helps them to acquire a deeper understanding of other people. Regular sessions cover health, substance misuse, budgeting, cooking, employment, training, life and social skills, art and many other activities.  Sports and outside visits are sometimes arranged outside the Hostel.   Residents are encouraged to undertake outside training.  Some of the programme is educational, such as literacy or numeracy; other aspects focus on health and well-being, including sports and exercise and healthy eating.  The programme also recognises that young people we work with have often suffered from a break down in relationships and offers activities that will help a young person to relate to others.  This might be by social activities with other residents and staff, but would also cover appropriate behaviour in dealing with the general public and living daily life.

Earls Court YMCA is a Registered Charity, number 1057763 and a Company Limited by Guarantee, number 3217539.