THE company set up by Wear Valley District Council to manage its housing stock is encouraging young people to get involved with the service.

The Dale and Valley Homes Community Involvement Team is working to set up a Young Persons' Housing Initiative (YPHI) for all young people in Wear Valley aged between 15 and 25.

The aim is to encourage young people to become more involved in the services Dale and Valley Homes provide.

The YPHI will involve a series of workshops based on a number of housing-related topics.

These will provide information on tenancy agreements, tenancy support, housing applications and waiting lists, as well as giving the youngsters the opportunity to take part in art-based activities.

The young people can express their views, opinions and perceptions of housing services and the company will use this information to help develop its services.

To prepare for the workshops, a conference has been arranged for organisations who work with young people.

Their experience will be used to develop the workshops.

The Young Persons Housing Initiative Conference is being held today between 10am and noon at the Auckland Youth and Community Centre, Proudfoot Drive, in Bishop Auckland.

Youth workers or organisations wishing to attend the conference should contact Clair Bell on 01388-761990.