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The Settlement - Exciting new enterprise
for interns
....and now Room for tea
Updated 31 July 2012
Update 31 July 2012: click here for more recent information about Room for Tea
What is Room for Tea about?
Room for Tea is a home-sharing network which connects unpaid interns looking for affordable housing with people who have a spare room in their homes.
The scheme targets homeowners that are at risk of becoming isolated, encouraging older adults to offer space in exchange for company, security and some free help around the house. In return for this, interns are given free accommodation whilst working unpaid, an invaluable support in these difficult times.
Our campaign provides a practical response to two major issues. It is about self-help and mutual care and supporting unpaid interns and young people moving down to London to start work. It lifts a heavy burden off the shoulders of many carers and induces significant cost savings.
For those householders that do not require help or security but do have free space available, another option is to take on an intern as a lodger, in return for monthly contribution towards rent. This contribution is set according to guidelines defined by the government’s Rent-a-Room scheme.
Want to hear more?
Interns- You are currently an intern, or looking to be, and interested to hear more, please contact us here.
Householders- You have a room available and are interested in becoming a host, please let us know here.
Employers - Find out how to support interns that work with you and match them with rooms here.
Room for Tea is a new initiative run by the social enterprise The Settlement and funded by Unltd and the Design Council.
Update 24 April 2011
This is a call for London-based interns who want to help this fledgling project take off. We told you about it back at the end of last year (see it here) and lots of you responded to the initial survey. Now Milena is looking for your more active involvement.
We reckon this is a great project. Read on...below, and also take a moment to watch this video interview with Milena Bottero, recorded by Catch21.
W4MP Ed.
Our mission
We are here to help London-based interns who struggle to cover their living costs. We provide a friendly home and create a network of young professionals.
For more info on this exciting new enterprise, check out www.thesettlement.org.uk.
Our work
Over the past few months we have been concentrating all our efforts on drawing a sustainable business idea to support this initiative. We have succeeded in securing funding from two major social enterprise grant awards:
Time for action
We wish to open applications to potential residents as soon as possible, but first need to locate a suitable property to move in to. Because we do not accomplish anything in this world alone, it is time for us to assemble a team of committed young people who would like to spare a few hours a week to help us get the project off the ground. The key tasks will consist in developing a marketing strategy, and finding a suitable property to house The Settlement.
If you are interested, please email milena@thesettlement.org.uk. If you are debating whether to get involved and would like more information about the initiative, please send all your questions to enquiries@thesettlement.org.uk
