THE Halesowen branch of Yorkshire Building Society is backing End Youth Homelessness Week as part of its partnership with the charity.

The campaign, which runs until Sunday (May 20) is a national movement to end homelessness among 16 to 25 year-olds in the UK.

An estimated 86,000 young people in the UK are homeless each year and, according to latest figures, 7,514 young people in the West Midlands received some homelessness support from their local authority in 2016/17.

People in Halesowen can help EYH by making a donation at the society’s branch, in the Cornbow Shopping Centre, with all money raised going towards the society funded Rent Deposit Scheme for EYH.

The scheme is the first project of its kind to be rolled out on a national scale, and provides practical help to homeless young people in the UK who are ready to move out of supported accommodation and into homes of their own.

Josh Watchorn, manager of the Halesowen branch of Yorkshire Building Society, said: “It’s shocking that so many young people in the West Midlands have had to receive homelessness support last year. We’re proud to be backing End Youth Homelessness Week to help highlight the issue in our community and nationally.

“Through our partnership with End Youth Homelessness we are providing real help for young people in need. Thanks to the support of people in Halesowen we have already raised a fantastic £283 that will go towards providing a home to a homeless young person.”

For more information please visit www.ybs.co.uk/societymatters.