First-hand glimpse of plight of homeless

The plight of homeless youngsters in Breckland will be highlighted on Friday next week when a number of people will sacrifice their beds for the night.

The plight of homeless youngsters in Breckland will be highlighted on Friday when a number of people will sacrifice their beds for the night.

Staff from Breckland Council, Children's Services, the YMCA and Stonham Homestay will be taking part in a charity “sleep out” on Friday, February 6 to help raise awareness of homelessness and raise funds for the Salvation Army.

The “sleep out” will take place at the Resource Centre, in London Road, Dereham, from 7pm to 7am and has been organised by Breckland Council's Housing Team and Children's Services Northern Area Youth Work Team.

Breckland Council leader William Nunn said: “Raising awareness about homeless young people is a hard task. The assumption is that many young people experience a happy home environment. But for a growing number this is sadly not the case. Over the last three years we have seen homelessness applications for 16 to 17-year-olds double.”

Breckland's housing team works with homeless young people over the age of 16 and it is currently developing a Young Persons Housing Action Plan. New initiatives will include working with schools to educate youngsters on homelessness and housing, working in partnership with other organisations, and creating an information leaflet about the support available to young people in need.