‘A Job and A Home’ Programme
Thanks to the Aviva Foundation and John Lewis Partnership Foundation, we’re excited to offer a tailored support programme for young people.
Our key aim is to work with young people to build confidence, resilience and essential life skills for long-term and sustainable success. By recognising the interconnectedness between securing and sustaining employment, money management, and understanding the housing system, we work with young people to advocate for themselves. We do this by supporting them to explore all aspects of these topics so they feel confident to take the lead on their priorities, set achievable goals, make informed decisions, explore their support networks and, ultimately, thrive in their home.
What is the ‘A Job and A Home’ programme?
‘A Job and a Home’ is a bespoke 1-2-1 coaching support and group workshop programme offered to young people who meet the eligibility criteria. We can offer:
We welcome referrals for young people who are:
Our 1-2-1 sessions are flexible, accessible and led by the young person, with the option to meet at a local coffee shop or another community location best suited to them. The group workshops are designed for small groups of up to eight participants. These are very informal, relaxed and most importantly, fun sessions that promote peer-to-peer learning. Topics covered include employability skills, managing finances, exploring housing options, and sustaining tenancies. Participants will also receive an AQA-certified certificate upon completion.
**PROJECT UPDATE**
The John Lewis Partnership Foundation funding to reach young people across Norfolk is coming to an end on 31st January 2026. We can still accept referrals for young people in the Norwich and Greater Norwich area, but will no longer be able to travel to wider parts of the county.
If you would like to commission or fund support outside of this criteria, please contact Zoe, our CEO, ceo@yourownplace.org.uk Thank you.
To make a referral: please complete our online referral form.
Project Impact
Each young person works through the programme at their own pace and co-creates their own experience. We work together to create spaces where each young person can recognise and reflect on their progress, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the skills they’ve unlocked and developed. Just as importantly, we encourage them to share their experiences in their own words.
By amplifying their voices, we aim to highlight change: greater confidence, stronger resilience, and a clearer sense of direction for the future.
“It has made an amazing difference to more than one of the young people that I’ve been working with. It has helped build their confidence and their understanding around housing working. It has provided them with another person to talk to when they have had issues and to help resolve them”
– Social Worker | Norwich Children’s Service
Oliver, a confident, driven, and bright young person, came to us with a clear motivation to find meaningful employment that aligned with his strengths and needs. His strong personal drive to contribute to his family, gain independence, and move forward gave him purpose in managing his home and money.
“Finding how much money I would be making [from working] made me feel more confident in how I’m going to keep on top of my own bills and things on my own.”
Click to read
Oliver’s
Experience
Mekdelawit is an inspirational and determined young person who was referred into the programme in July 2024. She met with facilitator Beth for regular 1-2-1 sessions before joining other young people in group workshops, all while adapting to life in the UK, learning the language, and studying at college. Mekdelawit embraced the opportunity of work experience with Aviva in Norwich, and her positivity, curiosity and engagement in the process meant she was encouraged to apply for a job there when the time felt right.
“Your Own Place has increased my confidence and ability to engage with people, and I no longer feel afraid of sharing my opinion.”
Building Happier Futures
“Since my sessions with Your Own Place, my perspective on how I spend money has changed. I’m up to over £200 in my savings now!”
In 2023, we first partnered with the John Lewis Partnership Foundation, as part of their Building Happier Futures employability programme, which aims to improve lives and harness the talents of individuals who have grown up in care.
Young people who were completing work experience at the John Lewis Norwich store were offered 1-2-1 sessions and small group workshops to explore employability skills, aspirations, home and money management, alongside getting real-life experience in the workplace. Read more about the project by clicking here.
FAQs
Q: Is there a cost for a young person joining the programme?
A: No, there is no cost for young people or referrers. The programme is fully funded thanks to the Aviva Foundation and the John Lewis Partnership Foundation. We also cover the cost of refreshments and venues for community 1-2-1 sessions and group workshops.
Q: Does the young person need to travel to sessions?
A: No, our facilitators are flexible and meet young people in their own communities across the county for 1-2-1 sessions, with no cost to the young people or referrer. Group workshops are arranged in areas where young people show interest (from two or more participants), creating opportunities to learn and connect locally. Where travel might be a barrier, we can explore support options together.
Q: If a referrer supports several young people who would benefit, can those young people be offered a group workshop together?
A: Yes, we can offer group workshops (up to 8 people), if you are able to identify a safe and secure training location where the young people feel comfortable attending. We have successfully delivered small group workshops with local supported accommodation providers as part of the project. Speak to one of the facilitators for more information.
Q: The young person has education and/or employment commitments. Is there a way for them to attend?
A: Yes, our flexible offer means sessions can be arranged around the young person’s existing education, work, or other commitments.
Q: There isn’t an accessible public space near the young person. Can sessions be held at their home?
A: Yes, where it’s helpful, we can explore holding sessions at the young person’s home. If it’s determined to be appropriate, we’ll have a conversation with both the young person and the referrer to agree on the best and safest way to make this possible.
Q: Does the referrer have to attend sessions with the young person?
A: The young person can attend independently, but having their Personal Advisor (PA), social worker, or referrer present at the first meeting can help with engagement and building confidence. After that, sessions are usually attended by the young person on their own.
Q: Can young people with English as a Second Language (ESOL) take part?
A: Yes, we can adapt our sessions to support young people with ESOL needs. While we aren’t able to provide a translator, we use a range of approaches such as visual tools, dual coding, and free translation tools, always led by their pace and what the young person finds most helpful.
Q: How long is the support for?
A: The programme is designed to work with young people to build the skills and confidence they need to navigate housing and employment journeys sustainably in the long term. We take an asset-based, restorative coaching approach — working with young people rather than for them — so they can grow their independence and resilience. Young people access sessions and groups at their own pace, so the length depends on the frequency of sessions. We aim to meet them weekly or fortnightly over two or three months.
Q: How will you support the young person with work experience?
A: If a young person wishes to take on a work experience opportunity, we support them in exploring options with our partners at Aviva and John Lewis. We can also tailor a session to help them prepare and apply for work experience, including looking at work experience opportunities beyond our partners. All support is guided by the young person’s interests and goals, helping them take the next step with confidence.
Q: Can you keep the referrer up to date with what the young person is doing?
A: Yes. We always check what the young person is comfortable sharing. With their consent, we send a highlights email to the referrer summarising the topics covered and achievements made. Referrers can request more regular updates, which we can provide, always respecting the young person’s consent and privacy.
Q: What if my young person decides they want to stop attending?
A: We know that every young person engages in their own way and at their own pace, and that life can bring up new challenges or commitments. If they decide to stop attending, we end the programme warmly, ensuring they receive any certificates for what they’ve completed. We also maintain an open-door approach, so they are always welcome to return in the future.
Q: Is this a tenancy awareness course?
A: No, this programme focuses on building skills and confidence in both housing and employment. Trainees can earn up to four AQA certificates covering housing and money topics, as well as a certificate of completion from Your Own Place.
The AQA-certified units that can be achieved are:
The certificates achieved can be shared with the local authority, landlords and housing providers to demonstrate their achievements, knowledge and skills.
Q: The young person isn’t able to attend group workshops. How else can they achieve the AQA certificates?
A: We understand that some young people may not be able to attend group workshops. While we encourage group attendance to benefit from peer-to-peer learning and shared experiences, we can cover some of the AQA units within 1-2-1 sessions. The focus will always be guided by the young person’s priorities and goals, so they can achieve what matters most to them.
Q: The young person I am supporting is in/has experience of kinship care – are they eligible for the programme?
A: Yes. Being in kinship care means the young person is considered care-experienced, so they are eligible.
Who are the project leads?
Mike
mike@yourownplace.org.uk | 07704 303194
Currently offer 1-2-1s and group workshops: Across Norfolk
Bianca
bianca@yourownplace.org.uk | 07596 534239
Currently offering 1-2-1s and group workshops: In Greater Norwich
How to refer
We welcome referrals for young people who are:
To make a referral: please complete our online referral form.
