A brainwave by Andrew Stirling has transformed relations between YHN and its young tenants.  The 19-year-old from North Kenton devised a points system to encourage residents to go to more community meetings. For every session they go to, tenants are rewarded with points which can be used to buy food, bus passes or other essentials.

Andrew has spent three years in Stepping Stone's supported accommodation in Hillsview Avenue, and used to be frustrated by how few people attended Youth Homeless Forum meetings.

“I felt something was needed to get more people involved,” said Andrew, who is studying computer animation at Teeside University.

“There used to be three or four people who went, but at the last meeting there were 10 or 11 young people. They like the idea of having an incentive to go.”

Project worker Shaz Russell, of Stepping Stones, who nominated him, said:

“Andrew has been a major contributor for YHN's young people's group.

“He has always acted in a very responsible way and been a very good tenant.

“On one occasion, Andrew's awareness of his neighbours prevented what could have been a potentially dangerous situation involving a suspected fire in another young person's flat.

“He alerted the concierge who in turn contacted myself in the office and then subsequently the fire service.”