A HOMELESS project has received a cash injection enabling it to extend its reach across East Lancashire.

Rawtenstall-based M3 Project plans to enlist young people who have experienced life on the streets, or been part of the legion of 'sofa surfers', moving between friends' houses, to help other teens facing in a similar position.

The work has been backed by a £96,266 grant handed over by Children in Need, which also confirmed Burnley-based domestic abuse service SafeNet will receive a £132,466 grant.

Under the homelessness scheme, M3 hopes to extend their reach from the Rossendale valley to neighbouring, Burnley, Pendle and Hyndburn over the next three years.

M3 Project manager Alan Dorrington said: "The unique element of what we are trying to do is work with young people who have been homeless, or on the cusp, who can carry out some informal mediation work with those at risk.

"We will also be looking to resolve some of the differences between young people, who are on the verge of becoming homeless. Or if they are facing becoming homeless, looking at options for the future."

Mr Dorrington said that M3 hopes to work with the likes of SafeSpace, in Pendle, and partner organisations in Burnley and Hyndburn, to offer advice and support to around 30 young people each year under the initiative.

While other areas of East Lancashire experience varying levels of street homelessness, the main issue affecting Rossendale tended to be 'sofa surfing', where young people spent days at a time sleeping in friends' couches, because they have no permanent address.

County Cllr David Stansfield, who represents Rossendale West division, said: "I'm glad that they have received this money if it addresses an issue in Rossendale but I would like to know a little more about how it is being spent to help these young people."

Two full-time children's support workers are among the direct benefits from Safenet's Children In Need funding, which will also cover a three-year period.

A Safenet executive said: "This will help us to provide support for the young people who come into our Burnley refuge and safe houses.

"Quite often we can have double and treble the number of children, compared to the number of women who use our services.

"Not only can we help them to find new schools and offer them one-to-one or group therapeutic support, but we can help them to feel safe again.

"Our support workers can help to bring the fun back into their lives, away from the tension and trauma of living as part of an abusive relationship."

Part of their bid highlighted the ability of the support workers to improve the emotional health and wellbeing of young people involved and 'repair' the relationships, if necessary, with their mothers.

The organisation, which also has refuges in the Lancaster and Preston areas, is also in the process of opening up its first safe house for male victims of domestic violence.

Isabel Farnell, Children in Need's regional head, said: "We are delighted to be supporting organisations such as SafeNet Domestic Abuse Service and the M3 Project.

"Over the coming months, these projects will work with the young people in Lancashire that need it most and a make a tangible difference to their lives."