Mendip YMCA is at the forefront of a campaign to prevent homelessness among young people, which has been rising steadily in the last two years.

Between April 2009 and March 2010, the charity organisation provided various forms of support for 267 young homeless people, an increase of 34.2 per cent on the previous 12 months, and it has already helped 124 more young people since April.

Now, as well as helping Bridgwater YMCA develop a similar scheme, its work is attracting interest from neighbouring councils that wish to launch similar initiatives.

Having dealt with the problem for more than 18 years, Mendip YMCA says it is well placed to understand the reasons for, and solutions to, homelessness among the youth.

In many cases, homelessness results from familial breakdown often caused by financial pressures.

Rising unemployment means young people are finding it difficult to contribute to household income, but from next year under-25's housing benefit will be cut from £62.50 to £46 a week, making it almost impossible to move out of the family home.

This is where Mendip YMCA steps in with its emergency accommodation scheme.

After making contact with young people through one of 45 referral points, which include council access points and Strode College in Street, the YMCA's scheme provides up to seven nights' temporary accommodation for people aged between 16 and 25 by matching them up with a volunteer host family, who are paid for providing this accommodation.

In addition to a hot meal and a place to stay, the young person will also meet with YMCA workers who offer family mediation guidance in the hope the youngster will return home afterwards.

If this settlement is not appropriate, young people can be re-housed in more permanent accommodation, such as Spencer House in Wells, where they receive advice about training, education and employment opportunities.

Carol Plenty, Mendip YMCA's accommodation recruitment officer, has been closely involved with the project for 10 years.

She said: "The work that our host families do is amazing, and they also find it very rewarding.

"To know a family is willing to take you in sends a powerful message to the child, especially as the families make their young people feel very welcome."

One of those volunteers is Caroline Riley, whose family has been hosting young homeless people for three years.

She said: "I think that there are lots of people who would love to do it but they may find the idea a bit scary, which it really isn't."

In addition to the provision of immediate assistance through their emergency accommodation scheme, Mendip YMCA also supports young people with a package of longer-term initiatives.

Its very popular move-on scheme, which uses a text service to provide participants with an updated weekly list of rented properties, is available for all ages and has already found accommodation for 39 people.

The organisation also offers more direct help with setting up home and assisting with the transition to independent living through its resettlement support scheme.

As homeless numbers in mid-Somerset grow, however, the YMCA is always in need of volunteers and is particularly looking for more host families to provide emergency accommodation.

For further information about this and other homeless schemes run by Mendip YMCA, including ways to get involved, contact Mrs Plenty on 01749 674773.