Bedrock - Accommodation for 16-25 year olds
Bedrock provides support and accommodation to young (16-25 year olds) homeless people (or those at risk of homelessness) in both Edinburgh and West Lothian area. It operates a number of house model types including shared living (with up to two other young people and a volunteer), single accommodation and mother and baby accommodation. It also provides a separate service for young people leaving care. The service has 31 spaces in Edinburgh and 15 in West Lothian.
Within the Edinburgh Bedrock project is our Care Leavers service. This part of the project has 13 flats which can only be used by young people moving on from care (or with a history of care and receiving support from the Edinburgh Through Care After Care Team.
What Type of Property Do We Have?
Most of our Bedrock units are single bedroom flats - which will have a seperate livingroom, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom.
We also offer shared accommodation where you can live with either two or three (Edinburgh only) other young people.
The shared flats in Edinburgh have a volunteer supporter living in them who can provide practical support around the house. We call them the Supportive Flatmate. This person usually lives in the flat for up to 1 year.
Some of our single flats have two bedrooms and these are used to house young parents.
Where Is The Property Based?
We have a Bedrock service in Edinburgh and West Lothian.
In Edinburgh most of our properties are based in or close to the centre of town. Some are a little further out. The are all close to excellent local facilities and are on good transport routes into and around the town.
In West Lothian most of our properties are based in Livingston, although we have properties also in Bathgate, Armadale, Broxburn and Blackburn.
How Long Can I Stay In My Flat?
Young people can stay in the flats for up to two years - so long as they need the support. If they feel ready to move on before this then we will support them to move on when the time is right.
It is possible to move freom one property to another one - this is mainly the case when someone is living in one of our shared flats and is then ready to move to one of our single flats.
What Support Can I Get?
Support is provided by a team of Project Workers and Support Assistants. We can provide up to 6 hours of support each week and this can be arranged during the day, night and at weekends. Normally support is provided once or twice a week (but this can be more or less - it really depends on what's right for each young person.
Each young person is linked to a skilled and qualified Project Worker who will spend time with them to understand what types of Housing Support is needed and how this can be put in place.
The sorts of things that we can help with are:
- sorting out problems with benefits
- paying of bills
- managing money
- living safely in the flat
- dealing with problems with neighbours
- shopping and cooking
- leaving the project and moving into your own flat
What support you get and how it is given is written up in your Housing Support Plan. During your stay we will go back and review this with you regularly to make sure it is still right for you.
How Much Does It Cost?
There are two different costs to the Bedrock project. One of these is for the support that you receive from us. You do not pay for this as it is met by the council (for up to two years).
The second charge is for the rent - which you are responsible for. If you are not working you will normally qualify for state benefit. If you do, Houisng Benefit should cover the full cost of the rent. If you are working and on a low wage, you may also qualify for some Housing Benefit. Rent charges vary a bit between properties, but they are generally around normal maket rates for the areas they are.
We will support you to keep on top of your rent payments e.g. helping with benefit forms and making sure that any problems are picked up quickly.
How Can I Apply?
Referrals can be made by phone, in person at the office, email, fax or by post. When a referral is received an application pack is sent out. When this is returned to the project we can begin a two stage interview process.
All referrals for our Bedrock West Lothian service come through West Lothian Councils Young Adults service.