Twelve young people from Warwickshire will live 'home alone' this week in a 'Big Brother' style project that aims to teach them vital life skills.
The Home Alone scheme is the brainchild of Orbit Heart of England housing association, which is running the project in partnership with Stratford District Council and Warwickshire County Council's Youth and Community Service.
The young people, all aged 15 to 17, are children of current Orbit Heart of England tenants from Alcester, Studley and Henley in Arden. Two Orbit Heart of England properties, owned by Orbit Heart of England and part of Stratford District Council's temporary housing stock, have been loaned out purely for the duration of this innovative project.
These properties will be home for the youngsters for four days and four nights between Monday 29 March and Friday 2 April. During this time they will be able to learn some of the vital life skills required to run their own home and play a part in supporting the local community. Two youth workers will be staying in each of the properties throughout the project to ensure the safety and well-being of those living there.
Orbit Heart of England community housing officer Hannah Kavanagh is one of the project organisers. She explains: "The project aims to explore the issues surrounding successfully managing a tenancy and everything you would need to consider when moving into your own home.
"The 12 young people will be split between two houses for four days and four nights, during which time they will be responsible for carrying out all of the household chores and looking after a simulator baby as well as taking part in a range of volunteering activities in the local area and work experience with the Orbit Heart of England property maintenance team.
"They will start with a mock tenancy sign up and go on to learn basic independent living skills such as budgeting, reporting repairs, dealing with anti social behaviour and contributing to the local community - all under the supervision of a team of youth workers from Warwickshire Youth and Community Service."
The participants will be allocated a budget that reflects the current rate of benefits and will be guided by the youth workers on how they should prioritise their spending.
They will also have a simulator baby for the duration of the project to explore the emotional, financial and social consequences of parenthood, and will keep a video diary throughout the four days to record and reflect on their experiences.
County Council youth and community worker Anna Stowe is another of the project organisers. She says: "Recent research amongst young people in the Stratford area showed that the 15 to 17 age group is particularly susceptible to housing difficulties brought about through a variety of reasons, from relationship breakdown to being asked to leave by family or friends. The research also showed that this group is most in need of help with benefits, housing support and training or employment.
"The Home Alone project aims to raise awareness of the issues of homelessness, unemployment and financial exclusion; and help young people develop the life skills they need to live independently."
