Backup is a youth homelessness charity providing a number of services across Bolton to young people aged 16-25 years who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness.

Each year they shine a light on youth homelessness by hosting the Big Bolton Sleepout, where residents from across the borough come together to fundraise for the charity whilst experiencing a tiny fraction of what it is like to be homeless.

BackUp North West offers supported accommodation which includes emergency housing, temporary accommodation and short and medium stay supported housing.

READ MORE: People brave the rain and cold, including our reporter, to sleep on the streets

They also provide support that focusses on mental health, employment support such as job seeking, job readiness, skills development, training, education, work experience and volunteering and so much more.

In 2021, BackUp accommodated 194 young people, completed 13,289 home visits, gave out 200 emergency food parcels and since receiving help, 50 per cent said they were more independent and 25 per cent felt safer.

BackUp North West believe no young person should experience homelessness and for the young people that do, BackUp aims to be an outstanding provider of high quality, holistic housing and support services.

The charities main aims are to empower young people to live independently, prevent repeat homelessness, respond to emerging needs of young people and enable young people to improve their social and economic welfare.

The work of the charity is vital in recent times as the energy crisis continues.

READ MORE: The Big Bolton Sleepout opened my eyes to the struggles homeless people face

Maura Jackson, CEO of BackUp North West said that vulnerable young people at risk of homelessness will be hit especially hard by the energy crisis.

Maura said: "This new crisis has already seen weekly amounts used on the meters by young people going from £10 a week to between £30 and £35 which they simply do not have.

"Young people who are homeless through no fault of their own, living in temporary housing will become the poorest of the poor and without Backup they are invisible."