The Foyer is in Ryde on the Isle of Wight. It provides accommodation and support services for up to 45 young people aged 18-30. It also operates a SWEP bed (severe weather provision) which is utilised by the Isle of Wight council in cold or hot periods.
The accommodation consists of ensuite bedsits, arranged across 9 flats, each with their own kitchen. The building is set over five floors and hosts:
- a fully equipped gym
- mezzanine seating
- break out spaces
- meeting rooms, including a large communal kitchen/ lounge and several smaller meeting spaces.
We encourage our team and partners to use all the spaces to meet and work with our young people.
Our team deliver housing-related support and advice, using a trauma informed approach in a psychologically informed environment. Each resident will be matched to a Support Worker who will coach and collaborate with them to achieve personal goals and achieve personal outcomes.
They are supported throughout their journey at The Foyer, from induction to resettlement in independent accommodation.
We focus on areas of support which our young people tell us are important to them, such as access to education, training, employment or support with mental health issues or substance misuse issues.
How to access the service
Referrals to The Foyer come from the Isle of Wight Council, via the homelessness team or SHP (Single Homeless Pathway).
If you are a young person who’s homeless or at risk of homelessness, please contact the Council on 01983 823040 or alternatively speak with your social worker or agency support worker.
The Foyer, Isle of Wight
Accommodation and support services for up to 45 young people aged 18-30 after experiencing homelessness or being at imminent risk of homelessness.
How does it work? Referral, assessment, sign up.
From referral to sign up:
- Assessments offered asap
- Sign up within 24 hours of assessment
- Smooth and quick transition
Giving our customers a voice:
- Community groups
- Sharing challenges in forums
- Contributing to the Foyer Federation nationwide youth survey
Engaging in a different way
- Movie nights
- Cooking
- Fired arts
- Art competition
- Workout sessions
Positive community engagement
- Street strong, street safe
- Community police drop-ins
- Hosted a knife amnesty bin
- Community police information sharing
Outcomes - Housing, staying safe, getting involved, being healthy, financial wellbeing
The Foyer 2023
90 people provided with accommodation
52 drop-in groups hosted, focused on education and employment
48 activities for residents such as movie nights and cooking
43 people moved on from the Foyer into safe and secure longer-term accommodation
41 people gained employment while living at the Foyer
13 safeguarding referrals to the local authority
How to access the service
Referrals to the Foyer come from the Isle of Wight Council, via the homelessness team or SHP (Single Homeless Pathway).
If you are a young person who’s homeless or at risk of homelessness, please contact the Council on
01983 823040.
Alternatively speak with your social worker or agency support worker.
Mia’s story
Mia moved into The Foyer in June 2023 following a referral from the council. She has cerebral palsy and had suffered bullying and felt unsafe in previous hostels that she’d lived in. In the film Mia talks about how The Foyer made her feel safe and helped to equip her with the skills to move forward with her life along with funding her Criminal Psychology course. She has since moved into her own home earlier in 2025, where she is now thriving.
Watch her story below.
Transcript: Mia's story [pdf, 69KB] 
Luis’s story
Luis first moved to The Foyer in 2024 and returned in May 2025. In this film he talks about how The Foyer has supported him, from being in a dark place in his life to having some stability, the bumps in the road along the way, and becoming Resident President so he can support his fellow residents. He is currently doing tenancy training to support him in moving to his own place.
Watch his story below.