Croydon Council has joined the National House Project, a programme designed to help care-experienced young people successfully transition into independent adulthood, to deliver Croydon House Project.
The Croydon House Project, a new two-year pilot programme, will provide care-experienced young people with a structured pathway to independence as they move into adulthood.
Too often, care-experienced young people face a sudden transition into adulthood just as they begin to navigate some of life’s biggest challenges. The programme aims to bridge that gap through practical life skills training, peer support and tailored guidance, helping participants secure and maintain their own homes while improving housing stability, emotional wellbeing, and access to education, employment and training opportunities.
The programme forms part of Executive Mayor Jason Perry’s commitment to supporting Croydon’s young people and helping them build positive futures. Council staff worked alongside Young Ambassadors with lived experience of care to develop the project. It was then approved by the Corporate Parenting Board, where councillors, young people, and Croydon staff provide advice, direction and guidance around issues affecting children in care and care-experienced young people.
Nahum Harrison, one of the Young Ambassadors who helped develop the pitch, said: “It has been amazing working with House Project alongside the council to help achieve this new step that we have taken to help young people in our current accommodation dilemma. I agree that this is something we needed in Croydon and I have been happy to offer as much as I could to the service.”
The programme will be delivered by a dedicated team of staff and after its first year, it is expected to be self-funded. It reflects the council’s focus on delivering early, targeted support that helps young people thrive, reducing the likelihood of more costly interventions in the future and ensuring public money is used effectively.
The project was launched at South Norwood Community Kitchen on Tuesday 27 October, with 12 care experienced young people from a range of care settings becoming the first group to join the programme. They will take part in activities designed to prepare them for independent living, including budgeting, cooking, home management and understanding tenancy responsibilities.
Jay Warren-Smith, one of the care leavers taking part in the programme, said: “The Croydon House Project has made me feel included and is great for developing social skills, financial skills and many others. It’s great to be involved as in the long run it will help build important connections and help develop necessary skills I’ll need.”
Kyra Charles also added: “The Croydon House Project is helping me develop within myself, and they help me engage with people who have been through similar things as myself and knowing I’m not alone in this new beginning.”
Young people who successfully complete the programme will be offered housing, alongside ongoing support to help them settle into and maintain their tenancy. Participants will also be able to shape the future of the project, helping ensure it continues to reflect the needs and experiences of young people leaving care.
Mark Warr, Chief Executive of the National House Project said: ‘‘We are delighted to welcome Croydon as a new Local House Project. Together we will codevelop an approach to support young people leaving care to build a home, lasting relationships, a sense of belonging and the foundations for a positive future.”
Executive Mayor of Croydon Jason Perry said: “Every young person deserves the opportunity to build a bright future, and that is especially important for those leaving care as they take their first steps into adulthood.
“The Croydon House Project will help young people develop the skills and confidence they need to live independently, whilst providing a clear route into a stable home and ongoing support.
“I am proud that Croydon has joined this innovative national programme. By investing in our young people today, we are helping them achieve their ambitions and reach their full potential.”
