About Us

Our story & values

Stay has been a specialist charitable housing provider and a provider of person-centred support for homeless and vulnerable people in the Telford & Wrekin Borough, for over 30 years.

Stay began life in November 1997, when Telford Christian Council Supported Housing (now operating as Stay) was established. The charity was set up after a number of young people turned up at local churches asking for help as they had nowhere else to go. The name ‘Stay’ however was known in Telford for some years before that time through the original “Stay Project” at Wesley House in Oakengates, which was opened in 1990.

The former Methodist chapel that had fallen into disrepair was refurbished by volunteers from local churches (ably assisted by Anneka Rice and the Challenge Anneka TV programme) and opened its doors as a place of refuge and help for young homeless people in the town.

Today, we support over 1,000 homeless and vulnerable people each year. As a small charitable housing provider, we are focused on supporting people facing significant life challenges. We are a safety net and springboard for people across the Borough of Telford. We catch people when they need help and support them to thrive, so they can be empowered to live independent and fulfilling lives. With the right support, at the right time, we know people can realise their dreams and aspirations.

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Stay Case Studies

Miss W has been supported by Stay since 2018. She was struggling with her finances (with sporadic and limited income) and was sleeping on her sister’s sofa. She was desperate to get back into college to gain a qualification to allow her to pursue a career in Health and Social Care. Miss W was housed by Stay but initially was falling into rental arrears on a regular basis. To help, STAY’s Housing Coach supported her to manage her finances by setting up a fortnightly payment plan to reduce any arrears. Stay was able to then move Miss W into a self-contained property and through continued engagement with her Housing Coach she has successfully sustained her tenancy, managed her monthly payments, and gained employment. She also started college studying Health & Social Care which is something she has wanted to achieve since moving in with us back in 2018. Now she works in a care home, maintains her tenancy and attends college and states that she is proud of herself for achieving so much in a short space of time. In due course she hopes to have enough money saved for private accommodation.
Mr N was referred by the Stay Outreach team back in 2017. He was a young homeless person, sofa-surfing amongst many different households and was vulnerable to exploitation. He had experienced a very difficult childhood and was taken into Local Authority Care as a youngster. He was struggling with his mental wellbeing and had PTSD. Stay began its support by helping Mr N claim the relevant benefits he was entitled to, so he had a consistent form of income. Stay also helped Mr N gain access to the relevant mental health services and counselling support which has really made a difference and has helped him build relationships with his family, gain confidence and self-belief. Today, after four-years with Stay, Mr N has a family and is enjoying a stable family life and is now ready and financially able to move on from supported accommodation with Stay. He is looking forward to the next chapter of his life and is grateful to have been in a position to receive accommodation and support from the charity. He has come to view Stay staff as his family as we were the constant support and guidance in his life at a time of great vulnerability.
Miss G had been a rough sleeper for three years and had been the victim of domestic violence. Stay provided supported accommodation to Miss G as well as support from the Outreach Team and Intensive Housing Coach. The charity also made sure she had access to the right medical help and the charity’s Floating Support Service assisted with getting Miss G onto the right benefits to maximise her income. Stay has also helped her enrol onto key educational programmes. Today, through access to the right benefits she can live independently.
Miss E and her young child were fleeing a very abusive domestic situation and seeking asylum. She and her child needed urgent support to access housing, benefits, and health services due to ongoing health issues. As well as providing emergency accommodation, furniture, children’s equipment and necessities such as a car seat, toys and clothes, utilities, and counselling, Stay has also played an integral role in helping with the asylum application. Commenting on Stay’s help, Miss E said: “Stay has played a very important role in keeping me and my child safe. You are my life changer I will not forget your help in my lifetime. I would like to say huge thank you and my sincere appreciation for what you have done.”
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Our Vision, Mission and Values

Our vision

To end homelessness, and empower people to rebuild their lives

Our mission

  • To Prevent the causes of homelessness
  • To Respond to the immediate needs of those who face homelessness
  • To Champion the needs of homeless individuals at every opportunity

Our values

  • Passionate We value the importance of the work we do, having a non-judgmental and empathic approach to supporting individuals. We aim to harness the assets held within the communities we support and are guided by those for whom we serve
  • Integrity We value representing constant and uncompromising moral and ethical principles in the work we do within a Christian ethos. We strive to provide quality services that are inclusive and ensure social justice and respect for all
  • Collaboration No journey needs to be taken alone and we are always better together. We work respectfully in partnership with individuals coming into our services, and in collaboration with partners across sectors to achieve the best outcomes for all
  • Effective We value the importance of quickly responding to the needs of the communities we serve. We are proactive in our approach and challenge where appropriate on behalf of those we support. We strive to instil confidence and empower and inspire individuals to thrive independently