A DUDLEY mother has spent the last two years supporting vulnerable teenagers as a YMCA host.

Annette Eardley, aged 59, has offered her spare room to homeless youngsters since her own children left home.

She said: “I was thinking of taking in foreign students to help make ends meet. But when I heard about the YMCA’s Open Door scheme, it appealed to me because I liked the idea of making a real difference in my local community too.

"I went on the prep course and met some of the people who were already involved in the project and the rest is history.”

YMCA Black Country is currently seeking more hosts across the borough, who are willing to open up their homes and equip young people with the basic life skills needed to live independently.

Courses will be run at Chawn Hill Church, Stourbridge, from 9.30am on Saturday May 17 and 24, for those interested in finding out more about the project.

For more information or to book a place on the course, call Rachael Taylor, supported lodgings host coordinator, on 0121 524 974.