The Ealing Common hostel provides 26 self contained flats to young people between the ages of 16-35 with low to medium support needs.

Who the Service is for

• Men and women aged 16-35 years
• Single (for accommodation purposes)
• Those capable of basic personal care
• Those with low-medium support needs to include:
  
  
  • A learning difficulty
  • Mental health problems (low risk)
  • Physical disabilities which do not preclude access to the facilities
  • A history of non-violent drug or alcohol abuse
  • Criminal records and be on probation
  • HIV/epilepsy or other physical illness.
  • Refugees
  • Pregnant (up to 36 weeks gestation)
  • Homeless

The service cannot accommodate people who:

• Have a physical or learning difficulty, which renders them unable to use the accommodation without assistance.
• Are identified by a referring agency or the assessing officer as having a significant and/or recent history of violence or abusive behaviour, arson or sexual offences.
• Need assistance with bathing or other significant assistance with personal care.
• Need staff involvement in the administration of medication.

Accessing the Service
The London Borough of Ealing’s Single Homeless Persons Unit have referral rights to 15 bed spaces. When a bed space becomes available a Housing Officer will notify the Homeless Persons Unit by telephone and email.

The London Borough of Ealing's Social Services (Care Leavers Team - ART) have referral rights to 5 bed spaces. Self referrals and agency referrals will be considered for all other bed spaces. Applicants should make an appointment with the Housing Officer.

Basic information on all applicants must be given prior to referrals being made. Referrals can be made between 9am - 4pm Monday to Friday.

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Staffing
The Hostel is staffed between 9am and 10pm Monday to Friday and between 8am and 10pm Saturday and Sunday. An out of hours emergency service is provided outside of these hours.

Services Provided

Our support workers are able to give advice on:

• advice and information on budgeting
• accessing appropriate health care
• counseling/support groups
• training and employment opportunities
• assistance with benefit claims and involvement in social activities both within the hostel and in the wider community.

Some specialist staff also assist residents by providing:

• basic skills tuition
• computer courses
• employment skills including interview techniques
• CV building and job search
• ESOL classes
• practical living skills

It is recognised that residents particularly from ethnic minority groups, may require assistance when communicating in English. In such circumstances support is provided and where necessary, access is given to interpreters either directly from internal staff or external agencies with which the YMCA has contact.

Where appropriate, other professional agencies are asked to provide any specialist support that may be needed to enable a resident to remain at the hostel.

Facilities Provided
Residents have shared access to a laundry room located on the ground floor. A payphone is situated in the reception area.

A residents lounge provides comfortable seating, television, internet access, and games. A training room is also on site providing computers with various software packages and internet access.

Residents are able to benefit from a well equipped training room with computers at 25 St. Mary’s Road, Ealing. Basic skills tuition, POA sessions, employment skills including interview techniques, CV building and job search, CLAIT, ESOL, practical living sessions and IT courses are available.