Sarah Johnson: Head of Operations

Ahead of our Supporting Vulnerable Tenants Conference 2025

Foreword by Oliver Lessiter – Production Manager
I was lucky enough to sit down with Sarah Johnson, Head of Operations for the Amber Foundation last month. I was struck by her personal commitment to bettering the lives of those who find themselves at the foundation.
A common theme throughout our conversation was the simultaneous emphasis upon individual and community based approaches taken to the service users’ recovery. It’s clear that the Amber Foundation is much more than just a supported living environment, and is in fact more akin to a minisociety whereby individuals can turn their lives around supported by a team of dedicated staff.

Oliver: Thank you so much for taking the time to sit down with me Sarah. I always like to start these conversations by hearing a little bit about the individual themselves and what motivates them to work in this space.

Sarah: My passion for this work comes from a deep belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to build a fulfilling life, regardless of their background or past experiences. I’ve spent over 15 years in the charity sector, with much of that time focused on supporting people facing significant barriers—whether that’s homelessness, addiction, or involvement in the criminal justice system. Before joining Amber, I worked as a Psychotherapist in rehabilitation settings, helping individuals overcome substance misuse or addiction problems and supporting them through structured 12-step programmes. That experience taught me how powerful the right support network can be in transforming lives.

At Amber, I’m driven by the potential I see in every young person who walks through our doors. Many have faced immense challenges, but with the right guidance, structure, and encouragement, they can turn things around. My goal is to create an environment where they can develop the skills, confidence, and self-belief to move forward positively. Seeing young people rediscover their potential and take control of their future is what keeps me motivated every day.

Oliver: That is great to hear. So Sarah, what are the core offerings of Amber & how do they differ from a traditional shelter provider for the homeless or vulnerable?

Sarah: Amber is much more than just a place to stay. While we do provide accommodation, our core focus is on long-term, sustainable change. We work with young people aged 18-30 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, helping them move towards independent living, education, training, and employment.

“Ultimately, we don’t just offer a temporary fix—we empower young people to
take control of their future and move on successfully.”

What sets us apart from traditional shelters is our holistic, structured approach. Our fully residential model offers a stable, supportive environment where young people can focus on rebuilding their lives. Many of our residents have complex needs, including mental health challenges, addiction, or histories of offending, and we provide tailored support to help them address these issues.

We take a strengths-based approach, helping individuals develop practical life skills, employability, and self-confidence. Our programmes include accredited training, volunteering opportunities, and personalised goal-setting, all designed to break cycles of dependency and create lasting change. Ultimately, we don’t just offer a temporary fix—we empower young people to take control of their future and move on successfully.

Oliver: That’s fascinating, could you tell me a little bit more about the inhouse employment / training opportunities?

Sarah: Absolutely. At Amber, we believe meaningful activity is key to building confidence and breaking the cycle of homelessness. Our in-house training opportunities focus on both practical employability skills and personal development. Young people take part in a range of structured activities, from CV writing workshops and interview coaching to hands-on work experience in areas like catering, construction, and retail.

We also offer accredited courses and vocational training in partnership with local colleges and employers. These might include health and safety qualifications, first aid, food hygiene, or even trade skills like carpentry and plumbing. Beyond formal training, we emphasise essential soft skills—communication, teamwork, problem-solving—so that when young people leave us, they’re ready for the workplace.

We also provide volunteering placements and partnerships with local businesses to give residents real-world experience. This combination of in-house training and external placements helps our young people develop a strong work ethic, gain references, and build a sense of achievement, all of which are critical in moving towards independence.

Oliver: And with these courses, how are they selected for individuals? Is it a tailored approach or a ‘set menu’ so to speak?

Sarah: Our approach is very much tailored to the individual. When a young person arrives at Amber, we spend time getting to know them, understanding their interests, skills, and aspirations. Everyone has a different starting point—some might already have work experience but need help with confidence or interview skills, while others may have never had a job before.

We work with each resident to create a personal development plan that includes training, life skills, and career goals. While we have a broad range of structured opportunities available, we also adapt based on individual needs. For example, if someone is interested in construction, we’ll help them access relevant qualifications and work experience. If another person wants to go into customer service, we’ll focus on communication skills and retail experience.

The key is flexibility—we want to provide a meaningful pathway that aligns with each young person’s ambitions rather than forcing them into a rigid programme. This personalised support ensures they stay engaged and motivated, increasing their chances of long-term success.

Oliver: I see, so it’s more about meaningful relationships and raising aspirations. It must be difficult when so many of your service users have complex needs and are ex-offenders. With individuals like this it must be as much about life skills as it is ‘employable skills’, is that why you favour a fully residential model?

Sarah: Exactly. Many of the young people who come to Amber have faced significant instability—whether that’s family breakdown, addiction, time in care, or involvement in the criminal justice system. A fully residential model allows us to provide the structure, consistency, and support they need to rebuild their
lives.

“It’s not just about getting a job; it’s about breaking negative cycles”

Beyond employment skills, we focus on essential life skills: budgeting, cooking, self-care, emotional resilience, and healthy relationships. Many of our residents have never had positive role models or a stable home environment, so we help them develop the skills they need to live independently.

The residential aspect also fosters a sense of community. Young people support each other, build friendships, and develop social skills in a safe and structured setting. It’s not just about getting a job; it’s about breaking negative cycles and equipping them with the confidence and self-belief to sustain long-term independence.

Oliver: And after they leave, I assume there is continuing support. What form does this take?

Sarah: Yes, ongoing support is a crucial part of our model. Transitioning to independent living can be daunting, so we offer a follow-up services to help young people stay on track.

Our team keeps in touch with former residents through regular phone calls, check-ins, and occasional visits. We provide guidance on tenancy sustainment, budgeting, and employment retention to ensure they don’t feel isolated once they leave. Many return to visit Amber for additional support or advice when needed.

We also link young people to external services, including housing providers, mental health support, and community networks. Some continue accessing training or employment opportunities through our partners.

Importantly, we encourage former residents to stay connected, sharing their experiences to inspire new arrivals. Our goal is to ensure every young person has the tools and confidence to sustain their independence long after they leave Amber.

Oliver: That’s great to hear. I suppose importantly what is the referral model for Amber, do you work with local councils?

Sarah: Yes, we have a broad referral network that includes local councils, social services, probation services, youth offending teams, and charities working with young people. We also receive referrals from hostels, family support services, and self-referrals from individuals and family members who reach out directly.

We work closely with councils and housing teams to ensure young people at risk of homelessness can access our services. Because we offer more than just emergency accommodation, we tend to be referred individuals who need structured support to transition into education, employment, or independent living.

Our referral process is designed to be straightforward—once a young person is referred, we assess their needs to determine whether Amber is the right fit for them. The key is ensuring they are ready and willing to engage with our programme so we can help them make lasting, positive changes.

You can read more about our work and make a referral for a young person via our website: Supported Housing & Homeless Support for Young Adults

Oliver: Thank you very much for your time Sarah.