A HOMELESS service that provides help for young people experiencing homelessness has marked its 10 year anniversary.

The Salvation Army, Crossroads, based in Accrington, has provided accommodation and support for up to eleven young people at a time aged between 16 and 25 for the last 10 years.

In the last 12 months 39 people stayed at the centre and on average stayed there for 90 days.

For more than 150 years the international Christian church and registered charity has transformed lives and continues to do so today in communities across the UK and throughout the world, offering practical support and benefits for people all levels of need.

Lee Robinson, a support worker, has worked at the service for nearly ten years. He said: “We’re a small service and we’re like a family.

"Many of the young people we work with have been through a lot and have very low self-esteem.

"We walk alongside them and give them the opportunity to believe that they can have a happy life and achieve whatever they want in life.

"We help them to believe that homelessness is not who they are."

Crossroads Lifehouse service manager Ishbel Cooke, who has been at Crossroads for four years, said: "Family relationship breakdowns and mental health issues are two of the main reasons young people end up homeless.

"We see a huge transformation in people who stay here.

"Seeing somebody make even a small change in their daily life, such as cooking a meal for the first time or tidying their room - basic daily skills - feels so rewarding."

One of the young people Amy, 21, was training to become a vet and was going into her third year at the Royal Vet stayed at the centre.

The Crossroads' Salvation Army supported Amy throughout her studies and even bought her a laptop to study for her A level exams.

Max is 16 and has been living at Crossroads for four months. He said: “I feel staff here really know and understand me – I trust them.

"They are clearly here because they care and that makes a big difference to the support we receive.

"Things haven’t been easy for me but the support I’ve had is helping me to look forward to a positive future."

Hyndburn Cllr Munsif Dad, cabinet portfolio holder for health and communities, said: "10 years is a real landmark and I hope they continue to help those children for years to come.

"We will continue to support the work they do for homeless children and the community as a whole."