PEOPLE who have experienced homelessness have been invited to make their views heard in a bid to improve services.

Chester-le-Street District Council, working in partnership with local agencies, is hosting the event at the Parish Centre in the town's Middle Chare, from 11am to 3pm on Wednesday.

The main purpose of the day is for the authority and other bodies to gather first-hand views of from the homeless, and those who had been homless on the services provided to them.

The council and partner agencies intend to use information gathered at this event to inform and improve the services provided to homeless people in the district and beyond.

The day will include fun activities, workshops, lunch, a quiz, and a raffle. In addition, a focus group is to be set up that could be called upon for information by the council's service provision for homeless people.

Tenant liaison officer James Moody, said: "Instead of writing to people, it was decided that it was more useful to host a day where we could facilitate face-to-face consultation.

"This event will be a positive step in learning directly from those who are, or were, affected by homelessness. We want to learn how we could improve our service to assist homeless people to get back into housing."

For more information, or to attend this event, contact, Mr Moody on 0191-387 2237.