Established 2005 Registered Charity No. 1110656

Scottish Charity Register No. SC043760

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December 2024 – January 2025 : Solidarity READ ONLINE

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Deposit help

Saving for a deposit: Emmanuel Bejedi at Fat Macy's © Benoit Grogan-Avignon. Rent Deposit Scheme help © Rock Trust Saving for a deposit: Emmanuel Bejedi at Fat Macy's © Benoit Grogan-Avignon. Rent Deposit Scheme help © Rock Trust
Fat Macy’s is helping people move into catering and out of hostels. Founder Meg Doherty explains how it works to Sarah Hough


London

For nearly three years Fat Macy’s has run dining events across London. It’s also helping people move into catering and out of hostels. Founder Meg Doherty explains the way it works

When Meg Doherty worked with key workers in hostels across London she heard about the barriers clients faced when trying to move on from hostels into their own accommodation. Often moving into private rented accommodation was the only option, but hostel service users claiming benefits struggled to save enough money for a deposit.

Meg realised how this led to frustration, financial problems, depression and inefficiency, so she founded Fat Macy’s, a social enterprise to bridge the gap in provision and to offer a holistic package of move on support.

Clients have the opportunity to complete a level 2 food hygiene qualification which enables them to work as caterers for Fat Macy’s and other catering companies. After completing the qualification, and a trial shift, clients are offered up to 200 hours paid work for which they earn £10 an hour.

The money earned is saved until they have enough for a housing deposit. Clients can earn up to £2,000 towards their deposit and for furniture for their flat.

Fat Macy’s also help with property search websites and viewing properties to ease the transition into stable and comfortable long-term accommodation.

This transitional support is often lost when clients leave supported housing which may put them at risk of becoming homeless again. To prevent this, Fat Macy’s clients are introduced to an organisation called Settle which provides support for safety, paying bills, budgeting and paying rent.

Who is eligible?

• Many of Fat Macy’s clients are living in hostels, temporary accommodation or are hidden homeless and are claiming benefits.
• All age groups from all boroughs in London are eligible.
• You can self-refer or ask your key worker to refer you. It could be a first step to a job and your own place.
https://www.fatmacys.org or email hello@fatmacys.org


Scotland

Grand change


The Rock Trust, an Edinburgh based youth homelessness charity is having success with its Rent Deposit Scheme to help young people secure tenancies within the private rented sector.

“In Edinburgh the average deposit for the cheapest one bed flat would be £550 monthly rent plus a deposit of usually a month or six weeks’ rent. It’s crazy. For a shared flat for two young men the room is £460 including bills and the deposit is £510 so you’re looking on average in excess of a grand up front,” says Rent Deposit Coordinator Tammy Reilly explaining that the scheme is part of a wider consortium of youth charities working to End Youth Homelessness (started in 2012).

If you are eligible the Rent Deposit Scheme also provides a £200 move-in grant to help with bedding and on-going know how about how to budget.

• Want to know more: contact Tammy via email tammy.reilly@ rocktrust.org (m) 07800 601 743 or office (t) 0131 524 9863.

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December 2024 – January 2025 : Solidarity

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