The Benjamin Foundation

The Benjamin Foundation was founded in 1994 by Richard and Vanessa Draper following the loss of their son, Benjamin, in a motorcycle accident, aged just 17.

For over 25 years, children, young people and their families across Norfolk and Suffolk have been supported by The Benjamin Foundation to overcome big challenges in their lives.

Housing and Homelessness services provide over 50,000 safe nights a year for local young people, as well as ancillary support services. The charity also delivers Childcare, Emotional Wellbeing Support, and Youth Support services.

About our investment

Investment 1

SASH
August 2022

SASH funding will enable The Benjamin Foundation to purchase 10 properties in Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth, expanding their successful Anchorage supported accommodation service.

What

Anchorage provides young people with shared housing and support, to enable them to transition to independent housing.

Who

Young people aged 18-30.

How Much

Anchorage currently provides 30 units across 7 properties in Great Yarmouth. The SASH-funding will allow Anchorage to add another 40 units across 10 properties to grow further in Great Yarmouth and expand into a new area, Lowestoft.

Contribution

The additional SASH-funded units have much-needed demand, with strong support from local commissioners. Anchorage’s successful move-on rates for young people from supported transition to independent living evidence the positive impact of this provision.

Risk

The management team is experienced in delivering the provision to an excellent standard and demand for the services in Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft is strong.

*We define risk as: risk that the impact defined above will not be achieved by the investment

Young people may be homeless or at risk of homelessness through no fault of their own, often due to a breakdown in relationships at home, or circumstances which mean they are not safe at home. With us, they are able to build their confidence, self-esteem and resilience. They learn life skills such as cooking, cleaning and budgeting, as well as receive education and career guidance.

We also support young people to overcome financial barriers that can come with accessing the private rental sector and support them to understand the responsibilities associated with managing a tenancy. This means they can leave our services with the best possible chance of leading happy, successful, independent lives, to keep them off the streets and prevent the homelessness problem growing.

Matt Garod

Visit the The Benjamin Foundation website

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