Knights Millennium Foyer is a separately registered charity and company limited by guarantee for which South London YMCA provides management support. In 2004 the Charity Commission asked South London YMCA to take over the management of this project, which had been failing, and appointed South London YMCA as corporate trustee. In August 2007 the property assets of KMF were transferred to South London YMCA to enable urgently needed building improvements to be carried out as KMF was unable to finance these from its own resources. KMF is home for 80 young homeless people, many of them from the BME community. There is a committed team of staff who are working well with residents to build up basic life style skills, and to encourage residents to participate fully and responsibly in the community. The Foyer is now much improved, financially stable and a vibrant place to live.

Where is the project?

The project is situated in Sylvan Hill, Crystal Palace in the borough of Croydon - View Contact Details

Who is it for?

Knights Millennium Foyer (“KMF”) provides temporary accommodation for young single homeless people between the ages of 16-25 in the London Borough of Croydon, and particularly targets young people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds. Residents stay on average between 6 months to 2 years. Their experiences before coming to KMF are varied, some are simply homeless, whilst others may have experienced family or relationship breakdowns, be ex-offenders, have substance misuse, be unemployed or be in need of education or training. All applicants must have a local connection to the London Borough of Croydon.

The aim of the project is to support young people to get income advice, to assist them in developing useful lifestyle skills and to access further training or jobs. For those residents with multiple or complex needs, the aim is to help them become stable and to sign post or refer them to other services identified by an assessment. Move-on to permanent accommodation which is independent is part of the planned support progress.

How can I get a place there?

You need to be referred to the hostel by one of the local agencies, such as HAP<25, the Probation Service, the Croydon Resource Centre and the Threshold Advice Centre. They will send a referral application form, together with a risk assessment and copy of I.D. e.g. passport, birth certificate, to the hostel. An in depth assessment interview is held at KMF, and the outcome of the application notified to both the applicant and the referring agency.

What are the facilities?

The project is situated in a tower block with 80 single Rooms, all with shared facilities and cooking facilities. There is a subsidised canteen on site for residents. The project is staffed 24 hours a day, with a staff controlled entry. Social activities are organised by staff with the help of residents, such as BBQs, and end of year celebrations. A well attended event each year is the Black History Month celebration.

What support do I get?

Housing Support Workers offer advice, assistance and support on personal health, lifestyle skills, finance & budgeting and personal development. They also carry out referrals to specialist agencies where appropriate.

Key work sessions are held with each resident to help them individually in their personal development and to agree action plans. The younger residents, 16 – 18 year old, have sessions either weekly or fortnightly according to needs, whilst the older residents have key working sessions fortnightly or once a month. In addition to their dedicated Housing Support Worker, there is always a Duty Officer at Reception available to any resident who needs immediate support and advice.

There is good local agency support with meetings between them and staff and/or residents. Such agencies include HAP<25, Social Services, Supporting People team, the Probation Team, Metropolitan Police, Croydon PCT, community & voluntary services. The relationship works by agreeing protocols and systems that will improve and benefit services provided by both parties.

Back to 'What We Do'