HOMELESSNESS is one of society’s growing problems and a recent report has highlighted that over the last year the number of rough sleepers has increased by 16 per cent - that is around 4,000 people a night sleeping on the streets.

Homelessness is a problem that affects all areas of the country with more than half of the councils across England recording a rise in rough sleeping during 2016.

Exeter was in the top 10 of councils with the "highest number of rough sleepers per 1,000 households" according to figures from the Department for Communities and Local Government in January 2017.

Homelessness can affect all age groups and recent figures suggest that 83,000 young people experience homelessness each year. There are many factors that can lead to a young person becoming homeless including; family breakdown, abuse, leaving care, rent rises or losing their job. Sometimes they make bad decisions and things can go wrong.

Once homeless it can be very difficult to find work, find accommodation and get back on your feet.

One charity that is working hard to make a difference is the Amber Foundation who are based locally in Chawleigh.

The charity helps homeless and unemployed young people in crisis to turn their lives around by providing safe, temporary accommodation with up to 30 other young people.

They also work with each young person to create a personalised development plan which provides a mixture of support, structure, new experiences and training that builds their motivation, self-discipline, skill set and qualifications.

It is an approach that works with the number of "Amberteers" leaving for work, college or achieving a major goal consistently over 80 per cent.

A resident of Ashley Court explained: “When I first came to Amber I was homeless, dependant on drugs and alcohol and had no relationship with my family.

"My confidence was shot and I was an empty shell of who I used to be.

"I owe a lot to Amber for helping me with my confidence, relationships and work ethic. "But for them I would not have been able to go for the job I have been lucky to get, working in a residential home for individuals with learning difficulties.

"This job is a major step toward the career that I want to be in and with the help from Amber I have been shown the way forward and have been given the confidence to keep my head high and aim high.”

Amber are keen to make links with local businesses and community groups in Crediton who want to help address the problem of youth homelessness.

Kim, the centre manager at Chawleigh, said: “There are lots of ways people can help, from donating food and equipment that we need to run the house and development programme, to volunteering, offering work experience placements or fundraising.

"It all helps and we are very grateful for the support - by all pulling together we can really make a difference.”

For more information on the Amber Foundation please visit: www.amberweb.org or telephone 01769 581011.

People can support Amber at the Crediton Tesco store at Wellparks from February 1 to February 25 by voting in the "Bags for Life."