Mainstay & Gateway - Housing Support for Young People
Mainstay and Gateway services provide Housing Support to young people (16-25 year old) moving into their own tenancy (council house, Housing Association house, private let etc). This is often a difficult time for any person and the support is geared to help deal with such issues as getting the house set up (e.g. furnished, decorated, benefits set up etc.), and working on the skills needed to help keep a house running (paying bills, managing money, getting on with neighbours, repairs etc).
Both projects offer the same service, the only difference between them is that the Gateway project is a partnership project which also involves Bethany, Move On and The Salvation Army.
Where Do We Provide This Support
The Mainstay and Gateway services are available to any young person between the ages of 16 and 25 who are living in Edinburgh. You can be living in a house that you rent (from either the council, a housing association or from a private landlord) or own.
We will provide support to you in your own house, but we will also work with you within your community - helping you to access other services that you may need.
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 The Support Cost?
There is no cost to you for getting support from the Mainstay and Gateway projects as it is paid for by the local council. This will cover the full time that you receive a service from us (up to two years).
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 arrange a time to meet with you and assess how Gateway or Mainstay can help you best.