A WYRE Forest charity which supports young people who become homeless have been awarded a grant of more than £65,000 from the Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales.

Wyre Forest Nightstop and Mediation Scheme, based in Youth House, in Bromsgrove Street, received a grant of £67,998 from the foundation to fund its work supporting homeless young people between the ages of 16 and 25 in Wyre Forest over the next three years.

The grant will support is more complex cases and to reduce 'revolving door' support where many homeless young people are trapped in a cycle of admission, discharge and readmission.

It will fund two days salary of a volunteer coordinator to ensure 20 of the most complex homeless young people are supported to reduce their immediate crisis, gain skills to enhance their employability, as well as increase their self-esteem.

With this intensive support, the young people will be encouraged to become active participants in their local community.

Over the last year, Wyre Forest Nightstop has worked 150 young people to either provide emergency accommodation or to tide them over the period of crisis. The grant will also contribute towards a free mediation service between the young people and their families to try and resolve their difficulties, mentoring them and helping them gain qualifications to support them in independent living.

Judith Ford, chief executive of the charity, said: "Wyre Forest Nightstop was set up to help young people who find themselves homeless or threatened with homelessness, and our work is needed now more than ever before.

"We are very fortunate to have strong support from our community, whether by offering their spare rooms to support young people in need or through donations of food, toiletries and other essential items.

"The grant we have received from Lloyds Bank Foundation will enhance the work of our staff and volunteers, and give us the time and resources to focus on empowering those who need the most help.

"That in turn, means that more young people will be able to manage the transition to an independent and meaningful life in the community."

Paul Streets OBE, chief executive of Lloyds Bank Foundation, added: "We are proud to support Wyre Forest Nightstop in its invaluable work reaching out, engaging with and empowering more disadvantaged individuals helping them move on from homelessness to improve their lives."