HOPES and fears of homeless young people in the North-East are reflected in a new exhibition at Durham Cathedral.

The collection of mixed-media art work, including poetry and photography, has been compiled by 40 contributors across the region.

It highlights aspects from the daily life of the homeless which may not be experienced by the rest of society.

The exhibition, Home and a Job, covers five key themes, from having enough money on which to survive and getting a roof over your head, to job prospects, relationship issues plus physical and mental well-being.

It has been put together by Youth Homeless North-East (YHNE), which works with young homeless people to give them a voice, raise awareness of the issues they face while attempting to influence policy and actively work to tackle and prevent homelessness.

The exhibition forms part of a research project by YHNE to discover the impact housing and welfare reform is having on the lives of young people experiencing homelessness.

Kieran Platts, YHNE project assistant, said what has emerged is that young people, “really do want to work”, while sanctions to benefits are making a difficult life even harder.

“We hope it will help to dispel some of the myths and negative stereotypes surrounding homeless young people, and show they have the same hopes and dreams as the majority of their peers.”

Canon Rosalind Brown, of the cathedral, said the exhibition highlights “real issues” for young people in society, some of whom go to the cathedral and other churches in Durham seeking support.

She added that it was a “particularly timely” exhibition for Lent.

“These pieces are emotive and heartfelt and I hope people will be moved and inspired by them.”

* Home and a Job will be on show in the cathedral’s Galilee Chapel until Sunday, March 22.