A CHARITY is dedicating a special month to appeal to householders to consider offering a spare room to a young person.

M3 Project, which works across Rossendale, Hyndburn, Burnley, Pendle and Ribble Valley, offers lodging placements for 16 to 25-year-olds who are no longer able to live at home.

The project was set up in 2003 and until recently was mainly funded by grants from local authorities; budget cuts to local government led to a reconfiguration and the project became a charity.

Recently, it secured £164,000 in grants from The Lloyds Foundation and Comic Relief and is also actively fundraising.

Charity Development Worker Lynn Haworth said: “When we get a referral we will try to get a lodgings provider in the particular area the young person is from. Although the young person is in a challenging situation, they will often have connections in that location and so want accommodation nearby.

“It is important to maintain some level of stability in an unstable environment.”

Environmental Health Officer Gail Harrison, from Crawshawbooth, said: “I come from a family where I have masses of support and I think sometimes people need an opportunity. I know how difficult it can be for young people to get accommodation."

Householders receive training, an income for having the young person stay in their home and their own point of contact at M3 Support Worker Emma Bird. Young people also have their own support worker.

Lodgings providers are encouraged to assist the young person to gain life skills and how to live independently; cooking, doing their own washing and keeping the house clean.

To find out more about becoming a householder email lynnhaworth@rossendalem3.org or call 01706 216600.