Lottery grant to help educate young people about homelessness

Lucie Tomkinson (R) said the new role would be used to educate younger people

A £30,000 cash boost will help fund a "vital" new role to help tackle youth homelessness on the Isle of Man, a Manx support charity has said.

Housing Matters has received a Manx Lottery Trust grant to fund a new officer to educate students about the risks of leaving home without support.

It comes after the charity raised concerns about the number of young people becoming homeless on the island.

Manager Julie Marshall said the charity was "extremely grateful" for the grant.

Established in 2007, Housing Matters helps those without a home to find suitable temporary accommodation while working to find long-term solutions.

The lottery trust funding will pay for new training and support officer Lucie Tomkinson for the next two years, during which time she will deliver an education programme for Manx students.

It will cover issues like "the reality of leaving home at a younger age" without planning or support and training on the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords, the charity said.

Ms Marshal said the new officer would also help train other Housing Matters staff on the latest policies and procedures.