PRINCESS ANNE gave a royal salute to the team at Grosvenor Housing Association when she opened the Ravenhead Foyer yesterday afternoon (Wednesday). The crowds came out to welcome the Princess Royal - and so did the bright sun after days of high winds and heavy drizzle. Wearing a knee-length mint-green coat with a dark green velvet collar, the Princess, the busiest of all the Royal Family, arrived at the Foyer at 1pm to be greeted by the Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor and Mrs John Mealor. Council leader Councillor Mike Doyle and St Helens Council chief executive Carole Hudson were also introduced to her and then Foyer manager Jane McKenzie gave her a tour of the new IT suite where she met several students.

Keith Gearing, 19, was asked how he was enjoying the college course. "She was very approachable," he said. "She seemed very interested in the project." She then went on to meet more residents in their rooms and also spoke to several of the contractors involved in the project as well as members of staff and board members before going on to the communal lounge where chairman Malcolm Haigh invited her to unveil a commemorative plaque.

The Princess congratulated Foyer staff on "giving young people a chance to fulfil their ambitions." She signed the visitors book and was presented with a souvenir photo album by 24-year-old resident Denise Wilmot before leaving for Liverpool Airport.

Mr Graham Eades, Grosvenor chief executive, said: "We were absolutely delighted to have the Princess Royal perform the official opening of the Foyer and bring attention to the work we are doing here. This type of help for young people who face the twin problems of finding somewhere to live while searching for a job shows what can be done on a practical level. "It is early days yet, but we are already seeing a number of successes at Ravenhead Foyer and the difference this is making to the young people concerned."

Making the passage to adulthood easier, Grosvenor joined forces with other organisations to create the 32-bedroomed purpose-built facility on Sherdley Road which will provide accommodation, education and job training for young people between 16 and 30.

The scheme cost £1.5 million to build and was created by Ravenhead Renaissance, The Housing Corporation, St Helens Council, European Union, St Helens College, St Helens YMCA Foyer, St Helens Chamber of Commerce, Training and Enterprise, St Helens Accommodation Project, Children's Society, SHINE, Employment Services, Youth Forum, English Partnerships and Tarmac who added their own brands of expertise and funding alongside Grosvenor.

Once accepted for a place at the Foyer, residents develop life skills including managing their own home,plus educational training to give them a better chance of a job.

Residents are offered a six months tenancy but are allowed to stay for up to two years and are then offered help in finding a new home.

In addition to single flats and bedsits, the Foyer also has a fully equipped Information Technology workshop with an Internet facility and there are upcoming plans for residents to attend study outreach centres at St Helens College and the Women and Girls Centre.

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