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Sidwell Studios

Affordable, self contained studio flats in the centre of Exeter, for those leaving Supported Housing

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Sidwell Studios is a positive community in Exeter city centre, for young people who are at the end of their journey in supported accommodation, but would still like some low-level support.

The flats are furnished, with a kitchen space, double bed, toilet and shower room.

Sidwell Studios has wifi throughout the building and an onsite laundry room. There is a community centre right on the doorstep, which is where we host our weekly craft and gaming cafe for Sidwell Studio residents.

As the accommodation is in the city centre, you would need to contact the Council to request a parking permit for any vehicle. The accommodation has a bike shed and is a short walk to Exeter bus station.

 

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Sidwell Studios is designed to meet the needs of young people aged 18-29 who:

 

  • Are currently living in Supported Accommodation (or similar). *
  • Are in employment or ready to enter into employment. *
  • Have a proven ability to successfully manage living independently.
  • Are willing and able to engage in the Sidwell Studios community and with support staff.
  • Seeking Single Person only accommodation.

 

*  We recognise that there are circumstances and situations that do not fit neatly into these two descriptions, and we welcome applications where these situations are given explanations and detail where the applicant feels that this is appropriate.

 

Please find more information in our FAQ section.

There is a free onsite laundrette, with three washing machines, and three tumble dryers. There are also a number of other laundrettes in the local area.

The kitchen is fully furnished including an Oven, hob, and Fridge Freezer.

There are four floors, which includes a lower ground floor that has two step free flats, and our laundrette.

Sidwells Studios is found at the end of Acland Road behind Sidwell Street.  There are doors there, and by Sidwell Community Centre.

There is wifi installed as throughout the building. Please see our MightyNetworks app for further information.

As with any laundrette, it will work on a first come first served basis. While there will be instructions in the laundrette, there will be more in-depth instructions available on our Mighty networks app.

When you move in, you will have a fob for your room, and the front door. You will also be given instructions on how to use an app to unlock your door directly from your phone.

Yes. There is CCTV covering areas inside and outside the building.

Mighty Networks is the name of the app that we use to share information about how Sidwell Studios works, advertise any notices, and share what is happening in the local community.

The app can be found here. Once downloaded, search for YMCA Exeter and follow the sign up process. Please use your real name as it will help speed up processing the join request!

When residents first move in they need to complete our Trainer Programme with their tenancy officer. This can take up to 6 months and involves proactively evidencing some of the independent living skills that we know our residents have learned in supported accommodation, as well as few new steps towards being part of the local community and using YMCA Exeter’s support tools, like our Rent Portal, where you can see exactly how much rent you have paid and what you owe whenever you want.

Once the Trainer Programme is completed, our residents become Stage 4. At this point they can settle down and we no longer require evidence from them. We expect residents to stay with us at Sidwell Studios for around 5 years – there isn’t a specific time limit. We ask stage 4 residents to take part in the community at YMCA at least 6 times a year, because we know how important community is for long-term wellbeing and resilience. We have many options for how residents can join in with their community, including through our digital support platform, our cafes, pub quizzes and drop-ins, our Ambassador Events, trips and socials and loads more.