A COUNCIL initiative offering practical and emotional help to homeless young people has been chosen for an award.

Durham County Council's Life Skills programme has been awarded Investing in Children status for its work supporting young people aged between 16 and 25 who are renting homes either on their own or with friends.

The programme was developed by the council's family services team, in partnership with Single Homeless Action Initiative Derwentside.

It is based at the St Andrew's Family Resource Centre, in Stanley, which itself has expanded to offer extra support.

Durham County Council's director of social services, Peter Kemp, presented the award.

He said: "The programme and the centre fully deserve this honour for the excellent results they have achieved.

"It is fitting that it was the young people themselves who recommended the award. They have endorsed the fact that they are respected, listened to and their views are acted upon."

Chris Mackay, team manager for the family services team, said: "Life Skills is a thriving programme and it is an integral part of the work being carried out at the family resource centre.

"We have a number of preventative services, which are delivered by the team from our three venues at St Andrew's, the Grove Community House in Consett, and Esh Winning Family Centre.

"The main features are fun, a welcoming environment, a chance to make and eat meals with friends, do washing, have a bath, or just talk about the highs and lows of life.

"Everyone involved gains a great deal of practical and emotional advice.