CHILDREN'S charity Barnardo's is working to extend its services in Tynedale to throw a lifeline to more young people at risk of homelessness in the district.
The charity's Supported Lodgings service is appealing for people in Hexham and across the county with spare bedrooms to consider opening up their homes to help support a young person.
Operating from The BASE Centre in Whitley Bay, the Supported Lodgings service works with vulnerable young people, mostly those leaving care, who have been homeless or are at risk of homelessness.
The service provides long term 'Supported Lodgings' for young people who need a period of stability in their lives after coming out of the care system, or who are homeless.
It also provides short term, emergency places for young people to stay, such as after a family breakdown or crisis through its Crashpad Service.
Service leader, Carol Preston, said: "Vulnerable young people who do not have the support of a loving family run the risk of sleeping rough on the streets, which is a dangerous place to be.
"We urgently need people in Hexham and generally throughout Northumberland to consider opening up their homes to young people who are in desperate need of accommodation.
"It is a really rewarding role, you can help a young person to get back on track and move on to a brighter future. Seeing that young person grow in confidence and then move on to live independently is a fantastic feeling."
The appeal follows the closure of the Links building on Haugh Lane in Hexham in March last year.
The nine-bed accommodation block within the building was run by the charity to support 16 to 25 year olds who were homeless or threatened with homelessness.
But officials said at the time that changes to the contract between Barnardo’s and Northumberland County Council had caused funding constraints, which made the service difficult to sustain.
A weekly fee, training and on-going support is given to Supported Lodging and Crashpad providers and more information is available by contacting Carol or Karen Jolley on (0191) 2532127 or email carol.preston@barnardos.org.uk or karen.jolley@barnardos.org.uk
Watch a video about the service below.
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