A BUILDING society in Maldon is backing a nationwide movement to help end youth homelessness this week.

R. Pipe Insurance Consultants Ltd, an agency of the Yorkshire Building Society on Maldon High Street, is backing this week’s national End Youth Homelessness Week, running from Monday to Sunday.

End Youth Homelessness (EYH) is a national charity aiming to end homelessness for 16-25 year olds, working directly with more than 26,000 young people who are amongst the most deprived in the UK.

An estimated 86,000 young people in the UK are homeless each year, with 29 young people in Maldon receiving some homelessness support from the district council in the 2016/17 financial year, according to data from charity Centrepoint’s Youth Homelessness Databank.

People in Maldon can help EYH by making a donation at the high street consultants, 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.

Gary Pipe, Company Director for the Maldon agency, said: “It’s shocking that so many young people in Maldon 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 our community we will be able to provide homes to homeless young people.”

Through the course of Yorkshire Building Society’s three-year partnership with EYH, it aims to raise £750,000 to support more than 700 homeless young people into their own rented homes.

By funding rental deposit guarantees and home essentials grants, the partnership hopes to provide practical help to homeless young people who are ready for independent life.

They will also be dedicating support and financial advice in building the life skills and confidence young people need to move on to lead successful and independent lives.

Visit visit www.ybs.co.uk/societymatters.