A building society is asking customers to help reduce homelessness this Christmas.

During the festive season, over 18,000 young people will be at risk of homelessness.

Yorkshire Building Society colleagues in Dartmouth are asking people to make a donation to support these young people.

The society has launched its hard-hitting Christmas appeal as part of the Society’s charity partnership with End Youth Homelessness.

People can donate at the Dartmouth branch, on the South Embankment or by simply texting NEED18 £5 to 70070. Colleagues in the branch are also selling Christmas decorations and raffling a special Christmas hamper in aid of EYH.

According to latest figures, 41 young people in the South Hams received some homelessness support from their local authority in 2016/17.

Sasha Pauley, Charity Partnership Manager for Yorkshire Building Society, said: “Homelessness doesn’t discriminate and Christmas is the cruellest time to be shut out.

“With just a £5 donation you can make a difference and help a young person find a safe place to stay. We’re proud of our partnership with End Youth Homelessness and thanks to donations we have already received from people in Dartmouth and all over the UK we have been able to help 167 young people into their own rented homes.

“Being homeless can manifest in many forms and is often hidden. From sofa surfing between friends and acquaintances to riding buses all night to escape the harsh winter weather, it’s a miserable existence.

“It can drastically affect a young person’s mental health. By making a donation you will be giving the Christmas gift that could help to change a young person’s life.”

Through the course of the Society’s partnership with EYH it aims to raise £750,000.

Charlotte Milner, Senior Corporate Partnerships Officer for End Youth Homelessness, said: “The money that is raised by Yorkshire Building Society funds a bespoke Rent Deposit Scheme, home essentials grants and practical help for homeless young people.

“I would like to thank everyone who has supported us so far and would ask anyone who can to donate this Christmas and help give homeless young people a chance to build a successful future.” 

EYH is a UK wide movement, bringing together local charities to tackle youth homelessness on a national scale.

More information can be found at www.ybs.co.uk/help-us-end-youth-homelessness.