YMCA Surbiton is looking for local people who can rent a room to young people in need of support in the borough.

Supported Lodgings hosts give people aged 16 to 25 a step into independent living, enabling them to work, study or return to work while providing an affordable housing solution.

The hosts receive about £100 a week in rent which is paid either from the young person or from YMCA London South West, depending on the financial circumstances.

A recruitment evening will be held on Thursday, January 11, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at YMCA, 49 Victoria Road.

There is no need to book so just drop in for more information.

Host Frances Peebles, who rents a room to Amin Hassan, has spare rooms as her four children have grown up and moved out.

She first saw a video clip about homing refugees at her local church and wanted to get involved helping refugees.

She said: “After seeing that clip, I contacted social services to become a host, social services then referred me to Natasha Price, the Supported Lodgings coordinator, and I then signed up to become a host on the scheme.”

After signing up as a host, Frances was put in touch with Amin.

Frances said: “I’m a teacher and had been teaching and supporting older boys, so I knew a male lodger would be ideal for me, because I understand them.

“It’s the practical day to day living with a lodger that people need to bear in mind if they are considering becoming a host.

“You need to be aware that they will be doing their own cooking and laundry- your lodger’s life will be in parallel with yours.

“It’s key that you accept this and don’t find it stressful.

“Amin is very tidy. My grass is cut and my recycling is taken out - it’s wonderful.

“The organisation is very supportive, so I think bravo, well done YMCA.

Frances advises that you need time to dedicate to being a host, “especially if your lodger has very little English”.

She added: “If you can provide that time and help to oversee homework for example, that is helpful.”

Frances said what she finds most rewarding about being a host is understanding their hopes, fears and learning about their history.

She said: “I just enjoy having them in the house and supporting them with their English and maths.

“I don’t ask questions about their lives- it just comes as I help them.”

Amin attends Richmond College each day, studying English, Maths and ICT.

One of Amin’s goals on his two year development plan was to sign up at a Boxing Club which Natasha set up for him.

In the evenings he trains at a boxing club in Earlsfield.

Amin said: “It’s my dream to become a boxer.”

Amin is originally from Sudan, has three sisters and three brothers and speaks Sudanese, Arabic, English, as well as his tribe’s language.

He said: “I went to Arabic school to learn the Koran in Sudan – so learning English here has been difficult.”

Frances and Amin get on really well and have a great friendship.

Amin added: “Frances always helps me, I’m very happy living here.

“I can also chat to the other guys that live here, they are a similar age to me.”