Readers may have noted the recent ecumenical homeless service held this year at Euxton Methodist Church.

It was because of the problem encountered by clergy in Chorley that the churches initiated the creation of Help the Homeless Chorley.

In Leyland the churches responded to a similar problem by providing an emergency service for homeless young people aged 16 to 25 years which they called SLEAP (Supporting Leyland with Emergency Accommodation for Young People).

Recent meetings with some Chorley clergy, Chorley Borough Supported Lodgings Scheme and SLEAP have indicated the growing number of referrals to Leyland of youngsters from Chorley.

The SLEAP organisers are, therefore, looking for homeowners in Chorley who might be prepared to provide emergency overnight accommodation (short or long term) to a young person who would otherwise be sleeping on the street.

Proper safety checks will be made both for the protection of the householder and of the young person, and a full time social worker is provided by SLEAP.

Although the initiative for the SLEAP scheme comes from the Christian churches those who provide accommodation do not necessarily belong to the Christian community.

For further details regarding this scheme, or to offer help with accommodation you can contact the Leyland office of SLEAP on 01772 623 603.

Revd Dr John Cree

The Rectory, Rectory Close, Chorley