Cash boost for homeless in city

Homeless people in Leicester are set to get more opportunities and training after a city hostel was given thousands of pounds of funding.

The YMCA on East Street received £425,000 of funding to help people into jobs and independent living.

It is one of a number of organisations sharing £5.3m of government money.

The YMCA will use it to develop its Y Theatre and offer training and jobs in areas like lighting, stage management, front-of-house staff and bar work.

Leicester YMCA chief executive, Paul Brown, said: "Our vision is to ensure that young people who have had difficulties in their lives have a real high-quality home they can be proud of and a place of change that rebuilds their self esteem."

Six projects across the East Midlands were awarded funding to upgrade their facilities and create more opportunities for homeless people.