HOMELESS young people can now visit a one-stop shop for help and support.

Barnardo's Cymru has launched its expanded Compass Partnership Centre with a little help from Wrexham Football Club and MFM.

Radio presenters Bec Turton and Jamie Scott joined Wrexham players Simon Spender, Richard Jones and Ben Hodgson, children, young people, volunteers and staff at the official launch.

The Compass Partnership, made up of Wrexham Youth Service, Social Services, Wrexham Housing department and Barnardo's has grown over the last six years, supporting young people and young parents who have housing or support needs in Wrexham.

Some of these young people face homelessness and social isolation.

Compass is bringing its three services - Tenancy, Leaving Care and Advice and Accommodation - together under one roof at 2 Grosvenor Road, Wrexham.

The Tenancy service provides help to young people, many of whom are young parents having difficulties maintaining their homes.

Leaving Care provides support and advice for youngsters

who have been brought up in the care of the local authority while Advice and Accommodation is for young people who are homeless, or in danger of being homeless, and need advice and support to find somewhere to live.

Barnardo's Children's Service manager Kathryn Craggs said: 'There are a constant number of young people needing our support and we are looking forward to delivering both existing services and exciting new services

from premises young people can be proud of.

'There is much to do to support the young people in Wrexham and Compass is about providing support and advice and hopefully pointing them in the right direction so they can realise their potential and ultimately live full and happy lives.

'It is very rewarding work when you know that something you did or said has made a positive difference to a young person who is in dif-

ficult circumstances.

'It results in many wanting to give something back to other young people by helping Compass improve its services because Barnardo's believed in them when they didn't believe in themselves. It gave them hope, direction and a way forward.

'We are so grateful to Wrexham Football Club and Bec and Jamie for giving up their time to support us and help raise the profile of the Compass Partnership.'