RAVENHEAD Foyer, the new initiative to help young people in the region, has received the support of the Council of Christians Together in St Helens (COCTISH).

The congregation at COCTISH's annual united service, held at the United Reformed Church, Ormskirk Street, heard a talk on the work of the Ravenhead Foyer from Mike Coates, chief executive of Grosvenor Housing Association, the initiative's main sponsor.

The foyer, which is to be based at the new purpose-built facility currently under construction at Sherdley Road, will help young people from the area make the step from dependence to independence and adulthood. It will offer accommodation and also training facilities, linking in with training organisations and employers throughout St Helens.

"Ravenhead Foyer is a major investment in the young people of St Helens," said Mr Coates. "We believe that they will recognise and rise to the challenge of equipping themselves for their future lives. Our ultimate aim is to help as many young people as possible to become productive and content members of the community."

Rev Christopher Byworth, Anglican Dean for the area commented: "COCTISH welcomes this initiative and I am delighted that we are now officially associated with it. Our youth is our future and the young people of St Helens are worthy recipients of this innovative scheme."

Ravenhead Foyer, which is supported by a number of partner organisations including St Helens MBC and Ravenhead Renaissance, is set to open this autumn. A working lunch, designed to let local employers know how they can be a part of the initiative, will take place on Wednesday, February 26.

Any organisation wishing to learn more about Ravenhead Foyer, can contact Jan Holden of Grosvenor Housing Association on St Helens 755221.

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