GAZETTE & HERALD: Students at Wiltshire College have been undertaking a makeover at a house providing accommodation for homeless youngsters.

The students, who are learning vocational skills, have been spending several days a month at Hope House in Calne, which provides supported accommodation for homeless people aged 16-25.

The volunteers, who have been involved in Hope House since February, are transforming it into a bright new home for the young residents.

They have painted walls, laid floors and mended broken fixtures. At the same time, donations of furniture have been made.

Hope House, which is run by the Alabare Christian Centre charity, supports young people who are homeless for up to two years.

Care workers help the young people to gain independence and learn new skills in preparation for adult life.

Wiltshire College staff Mark Mullis and Ted Rowe have supervised the work with the help of Pathways to Employment training co-ordinator Melanie Andrews and Hope House care worker Emma Taylor.

Ms Taylor said: "A lot of people do not realise that youth homelessness is a problem.

"The Pathways students have been a great help and have transformed the house into a clean, attractive home for young people."

Pathways to Employment is a 12-week programme tailored to students' individual needs.

It offers young people experience in bricklaying, decorating, plumbing and other skills and helps them develop the confidence to find further training or employment.

Pathways to Employment training co-ordinator Melanie Andrews said "Working at Hope House was a good way to develop those skills at the same time as helping other young people," she said.

Hope House still needs curtain material or curtains in good condition, as well as items such as televisions and lampshades.

Anyone with items to donate should contact Emma Taylor on 0788 449 6377.