THE COLD nights of the coming winter form a backdrop against which the problem of homelessness is thrown into sharp relief.

Despite years of initiatives, people continue to sleep rough.

But agencies in Halton plans to address this big issue at a major conference to be held in Widnes this month.

The conference, organised by Halton's own homeless, aims to bring street dwellers face to face with the politicians who can help them.

Government housing minister Hilary Armstrong is coming, along with Halton's MPs, council leaders and housing associations.

The event will also see the launch of the Belvedere Life Skills Guide, with tips on how cope with life in the community.

Marie Wright, who works with homeless people at Runcorn's Belvedere Training Project, said: "It's an opportunity for the homeless to have their say. We will try to come up with something and they can go back to London with some good ideas.

"The people who make the decisions are going to be there. And the young people who have organised the thing have devised some questions which Hilary Armstrong is going to answer in an open forum. I think a lot of good will come out of the day."

Residents at Belvedere have formulated a 10-point charter which they hope will provide a basis for action on homelessness.

The GMB union has already backed the project by sponsoring an art competition for schoolchildren in the borough.

Youngsters were asked to depict what they imagined life on the streets would be like. The results will be displayed at conference.

The symposium is on at Auto Quest stadium on Friday, October 16.

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