Investor Inspire Day 2019: the future of Foyers

Last week, representatives from our Investor Foyers joined the Foyer Federation team in London for a fantastic day of inspiration and networking. 

This year, to celebrate our partnership with Social Enterprise UK, we visited four businesses for social good. We ate at The Savannah and The Brigade Bar + Kitchen, slept and had breakfast at The Royal Foundation of St Katharine, and toured the House of St Barnabas, a private members club that funds a training academy for people experiencing homelessness.

The day started in the spectacular surrounding of Southwark Cathedral, where our Investors heard from Peter Holbrook, SEUK’s Chief Executive, about the role of the sustainability, social good and the social enterprise model in today’s world.

The group discussed the current landscape for Foyers and the difficulties of ‘contract culture’ in delivering a truly holistic service for young people. They highlighted the benefits of being able to put numbers against the impact metrics to demonstrate the benefits of the Foyer model, and how best to show this to different stakeholders.

During lunch at Brigade, we learned about the workings of this social enterprise, which provides training and work opportunities for people at risk of homelessness, from award-winning chef Simon Boyle.

In the afternoon, we were given the grand tour of the House of St Barnabas, which cuts an impressive figure on Soho Square in Central London, by Employment Academy Director Ceri Sheppard. This former homeless hostel’s journey to private member’s club and employment academy was an inspiring and tale to hear.

Finally, the day finished with a band thanks to Susan Aktamel, Executive Director at Homes for Good. This Glasgow-based letting agency, which directs its profits into providing homes for people on low incomes or receiving housing benefit, takes a big-hearted and savvy approach to housing, and hopes to replicate this across the UK.

Thank you to our Investors in Your Housing Group, SAHA, YMCA DLG, Stonewater and YMCA Derbyshire. Here’s to another fantastic year of inspiring practices, innovative ideas and positive outcomes for young people.