For thousands of people in Wales, homelessness is a frightening reality.

It is estimated that each year across Wales, 7000 people aged between 16 and 24 ask for help with homelessness.

A leading Welsh homeless charity which provides accommodation, support and advice is seeking to recruit new lodging providers for 16 to 24-year olds in the Ammanford area.

Llamau’s mission is to eradicate homelessness for young people and vulnerable women in Wales. They believe that no young person or vulnerable woman should ever have to experience homelessness.

Llamau was founded over 30 years go to provide homeless teenagers in the Vale of Glamorgan and Cardiff with a safe place to stay. Since then, the charity has supported 67,000 people who are either facing homelessness or who are already homeless, and last year worked with 8,669 people

The organisation has become a ‘provider of choice’ because of their ability and reputation for working with all young people and vulnerable women. They work across Wales to provide safe accommodation and offer a holistic range of services which help people to put homelessness behind them for good.

Llamau are particularly well known for engaging with those at risk - particularly care leavers, young offenders, those at risk of offending, victims of domestic abuse, and people who have chaotic and disadvantaged lifestyles.

The established charity has head offices in Cardiff but projects across Wales and organisers are looking for providers in the Amman Valley area.

Lodgings Development Worker Kelly McMinn-Howells said: “Our scheme has been running for several years, but demand is increasing to support homeless young people.

“Our aim is to support young people in gaining life skills for them to become confident young adults.

“Providers do not need any special qualifications and come from a variety of backgrounds.

“It does not matter if individuals are single, married, working or unemployed.

“All we ask is for a spare room, willingness to help a young person develop life skills and we wish to hear from them.”

In return for their help providers will gain training and support from Llamau plus £150 per week.

The charity is also fundraising to establish the first out of hours helpline for young homeless people in Wales as part of the End Youth Homelessness Cymru campaign. Llamau is the lead charity on the End Youth Homelessness Cymru (EYHC) campaign, working in partnership with other homelessness charities in Wales. This ambitious venture, which launched in 2017, aims to see an end to youth homelessness in Wales within ten years and brings together politicians, business leaders, statutory partners, local authorities and charity activists to tackle the root causes of youth homelessness. The campaign is also supported by Hollywood actor Michael Sheen and Wales’ First Minister, Carwyn Jones.

Should local people be interested in seeking informal information about the supported lodgings scheme, they can contact Lesley Davies on 07966 981 050 or Kelly McMinn-Howells on 07966 981 115.