Wiltshire Council host family scheme appealing for more families

Wiltshire Council is appealing for more families to come forward to be part of the Host Family Scheme to give a young person somewhere to stay. 

The scheme is to help accommodate 16-17 year olds with families until they are able to move back home or find other accommodation. 

There are currently twenty host families across Salisbury, Devizes, Chippenham, Bradford on Avon, Burbage, Amesbury, Trowbridge, Sutton Veny, Hilcott, Calne and Horningsham. 

Wiltshire Council are now appealing for more families to come forward to help young people with somewhere to stay. 

Wiltshire Council's cabinet member for children's services, Lionel Grundy said: "Our host families are providing a very valuable service by providing accommodation to young people who suddenly find themselves homeless."

The job of a host family is to provide a young person with accommodation and a hot meal for around three weeks or longer if the family are willing to do so. Wiltshire Council provide support to the families and cover expenses with a daily allowance. 

Between 2011/12 39 young people were given a place to stay by a family through the host family scheme. The majority of these people were later able to move into alternative accommodation or moved in with a relative. 

Since the scheme was launched in 2009, around 87 young people across Wiltshire where helped by a host family under the council's scheme. 

"We are so thankful to all the host families who have helped dozens of young people already and we would like to hear from any other people who feel they can help some young people who really need it," Lionel Grundy added.

For more information about the host family scheme or how to apply contact Liz Montague at: liz.montague@wiltshire.gov.uk.