In July Milly from Market Wells Foyer will be travelling 6,185 miles across the world, all in the name of charity. Here he tells us how we can keep up with him on his travels.

"On my travels to Costa Rica I will be part of a large team of volunteers giving something back to poor and struggling communities as-well and nature reserves. Part of the expedition will be building schools and wells, teaching locals English and also helping protect nature and wildlife habitats."

Check out Milly's blog at www.millysadventure.blogspot.com

Foyer victory as Gordon Brown announces the 16 Hour Rule 'must be reformed'

The 16-hour rule is going to be reformed!  Woo hoo!

Prime minister Gordon Brown confirmed today that the government are going to change the 16-hour rule.

For the past 5 years we have helped Foyer residents to raise the issues with their local MP, the Government, the media, Joe Blogg's dog... and anyone else who would listen.

In fact, this website  was set up to help Foyer residents affected by the 16-hour rule to keep in contact with each other so that they could campaign more effectively. So, it was only fitting that Michael was on BBC News 24 being interviewed about the reform of the 16-hour rule - watch the 2 minute clip (this is will open your media player on your machine - it's about 700KB).

So - here's to all of you who have been involved in the campaign over the past years - Foyer residents and staff. It's been a hard slog - but it looks like it's been worth it! Thanks for coming to meetings, for sharing your experiences, writing letters, signing petitions, and for making such an impression on MPs.

It's not yet all over yet, and exactly how the review will take place. But it is looking good. 

If you are currently affected by the 16 hour rule like hundreds of Foyer residents up and down the country, then unfortunately  nothing will change immediately... but the wheels are now in motion. 

If you face problems with your benefits, please tell us about them. We are campaigning to change some of the rules that hold people back unnecessarily. If you have been told that you can't go on a course as you'll lose your housing benefit, or you have been forced to go on a course that has not been beneficial - tell us your story here and we will try to raise it with the people who are in charge!

If you don't find like this site, fine - but please don't close down yet!

Instead of switching to your favourite site, please think about what you do want to have on this website. And let me know.

Even better - change it yourself. Send me your articles, art, poems etc. Or  contact me and I might even pay for a train to bring you to the office (or I'll come to your Foyer) and you can edit the website. It might even be something to put on your CV. So call Garmon on 020 7430 2212.

The great and the good of the higher education sector came to our event in the House of Lords in November to celebrate the achievement of Foyer residents who have gone to university.
Bill Rammell MP with Soleiman, Cambridge University

Bill Rammell MP,  the man in charge of the government's policy on higher education was there. He couldn't but be impressed by the 15 Foyer residents at the event, and the 4 residents who spoke about their experiences of their Foyer and then at university. Sue Harris, who has a real passion for international poverty issues, spoke about how her keyworker encouraged her to apply to university - and how since then she has not looked back! She has just graduated and is now working for MTV on their HIV/Aids project. 

Other students talked about the financial difficulties of going to university - but also of the help that the Foyer Bursary has been for their studies.

Everyone there was blown away by the students who had worked so hard to get to where they were.

If you are considering studying on a higher education course, and are living in a Foyer, you may be eligible for the Foyer Bursary of £1,000.