A CHARITABLE organisation for the young homeless has marked its 18th year by opening a new service for residents.

A chill-out zone and internet cafe at Tees Valley YMCA's Darlington residential centre was opened by Jenny Chapman, MP for Darlington, on Friday.

The opening of the service, at The Foyer, in Middleton Street, Darlington, was held on the same day as the Tees Valley YMCA's 18th annual meeting.

Young residents, governors, and support workers attended the opening event.

Sue Howes, a governor, said: "I love the colours, it was so dull before, but it looks fabulous now."

Graham Gannoway, chief executive of Tees Valley YMCA, said: "It has been a great day. Opening the chill out room was part of a programme we are running here.

"Four months ago they designed and planned the room and went out to buy the materials to do it, and now look at the result.

"They've really achieved something concrete.

"Originally the room was full of sofas and televisions, which encouraged people to lie around, but we have now put in computers and chairs and we hope to encourage something more positive to come out of it."

The new service will be used by residents such as Adam Gill, 20, who came to the centre last year.

He said: "I have helped the handyman out for the past three weeks, getting it to look like this.

"I am due to leave soon because I have got a flat sorted out and a job as a security guard.

"I have learnt a lot of things here, such as how to pay my rent on time and stuff like that."

During the 18 years the charity has been running in the Tees Valley, it has provided countless homeless 16 to 25-year-olds with a place to stay.

The Foyer houses 31 young people.

Young people referred to the YMCA are given a selfcontained flat for 12 months, and are assigned a key worker, who will help them to prepare them for moving on.

Training in information and communications, volunteering, literacy and numeracy is offered to young people who stay there.