Do you have a spare room in your home? Would you be willing to offer it to a young person in need? If so, then you could make a real difference to a teenager's life.

The Tubwell Project in Darlington, run by leading children's charity NCH in partnership with Darlington Borough Council, needs people who can provide good quality accommodation for young people who are homeless or have recently left the care system.

You can help by providing vulnerable young people with a bed for the night to prevent them from having to sleep rough or provide long-term accommodation for young people, giving them emotional support and opportunities to develop their independent living skills.

Accommodation providers for the emergency service will need to make themselves available at short notice to offer a bed and a meal for up to two nights.

Those offering Supported Lodgings accommodation will act as a resident landlord, providing a home, advice and support to a young person for between three and 18 months.

During this time the young person may be at college, on a training placement or working.

Tom Adams, Manager of the Tubwell Project, says: "It doesn't matter if you're single or part of a couple, if you own your home or rent or if you're able to offer a home for a weekend or a year.

"What does matter is that you can offer a vulnerable young person a safe and welcoming place to stay at a time when they need it the most."

Expenses will be paid to those providing emergency accommodation, while those offering Supported Lodgings receive a fixed fee and a contribution from the young person's own money towards food and other household bills.

Anyone interested in applying will have to be police checked and trained to ensure that they can offer a safe and reliable environment. All successful applicants will be able to access regular advice and support from staff at the Tubwell Project.

Since it opened in October 1999, the Tubwell Project has worked with 144 young people all of whom found themselves homeless or living in temporary accommodation.

For further information, please contact Tom Adams or Mette Hauge on 01325 254899.