A Swindon woman who has helped to change the lives of more than 30 young people over the past three decades is encouraging others to do the same.

Maureen Starks has been a supported lodgings host for 29 years, providing a safe home for young people aged 16 to 21 who are facing tough times.

Her involvement began when her son brought home a friend who had been kicked out by his parents.

She welcomed him in and raised him alongside her three children.

By 1995, inspired by her daughter's involvement in supported lodgings, Ms Starks started officially taking in young people through the service.

She currently does so through the local youth homelessness charity Step by Step Partnership.

Ms Starks said: "The children keep you abreast of the world. They keep you aware of what’s going on out there."

She believes the younger generation in Swindon often gets a bad reputation, but it is actually a minority giving the others a bad name.

She says there is no magic formula to the role, just a need to ensure the young people are safe and secure in a happy environment.

Many of the young people, some now in their 40s, keep in contact with Ms Starks, visiting and sending birthday cards.

When asked what her advice is for anyone interested in becoming a supported lodgings host, she said: "Give it a go, you can only improve the child’s life.

"Whatever you do is a positive thing, and the young people bring amusement to your life.

“You would step up to the mark for your own child. Why would you move a child on for having issues? You can always sit down with them and resolve those issues.”

One of the young people Ms Starks took in had mental health issues and did not like going to get support on his own.

To help him become more independent, she would start by moving a few seats away while they waited, until she was able to tell him she was going to sit in the cafe down the road and come back for him.

She added: "Step by Step give the young people out there a chance in life. Without people like the Step by Step team, where would these children be?"

Step by Step offers 24-hour support, ongoing training and guidance, a dedicated support worker, and weekly expense payments in addition to the rent hosts are paid.

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