Our Services

Supported Housing

 Ekaya provides good quality housing and support services primarily to black and ethnic minority women, their families and other groups with similar needs in the London Boroughs of Southwark, Lambeth, Lewisham, Greenwich, Croydon and Bromley, the boroughs with the UK’s highest teenage pregnancy rates.  

 
There are 10 supported housing schemes spread across the above mentioned Boroughs.
 
Ekaya supports around 124 young mothers per year to develop skills for independent living, through a holistic approach i.e. parenting, budgeting, life and social skills enabling them to successfully maintain and sustain their tenancies in the wider community.
 
We also provide a floating support service to 100 young mothers already living in housing association or local authority accommodation in Lambeth Wandsworth, Greenwich, and Southwark
 
 
Ekaya is also involved in community development projects as well as developed and currently runs a neighbourhood nursery, Happy Nursery Days in Tulse Hill, Lambeth.
 
SUPPORTING OUR YOUNG MOTHERS
Research shows that early motherhood is associated with poor educational achievement and low life expectations. Research also indicates that BME women are more likely to be teenage parents than any other group.
When a young mother is referred to us, the House Manager undertakes a needs assessment to establish her specific needs. A Support Plan is then drawn up with the client which includes support with parenting skills, health and safety, independent living skills such as cooking or budgeting, support with career development and education, emotional and social skills, and sexual health.The support plan is reviewed every 3 months
The house manager offers support on an informal basis as needed.She also provides a fortnightly counselling session.The young women we support have a say in how things are run and activities planned. 
 
    Ekaya makes a positive significant difference to the lives of over 100 vulnerable young mothers a year by helping them develop a range of life, parenting and personal skills, educating them on relationships, sexual and emotional health and encouraging and supporting them to continue with their education and training and gain employment. This helps to reduce social exclusion and repeat of subsequent unplanned pregnancy, builds their confidence and self-esteem and prepares them to live successfully in and contribute to their local communities.