YOUNG people will give first hand experience of the harsh realities of homelessness at a one day confer- ence.

The plight of young homeless people comes under the spotlight on Monday, when Bury Council joins forces with the NCH Action for Children. Entitled 'Housing, Information and Support Needs of Young people aged 16-25', it aims to emphasise the need for better planning of services to meet the needs of young people.

The conference will be addressed by Bury's director of personal and community services, Mr Sandy Patterson, who will show how a range of council services are working together to offer better support.

Also among the list of speakers will be a former homeless woman called Barbara, who will give her own personal experiences of having nowhere to live.

Deputy council leader John Byrne said: "This conference will look more specifically at homelessness and supporting those young people once a roof has been put over their head.

"I think it is clear to everyone concerned in the the field that these kind of issues can only be dealt with by agencies making the commitment to work together." The conference runs from 10am to 4pm at the Elizabethan Suite in Bury Town Hall. Anyone interested is invited to attend for either all or part of the day.

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