IT is heartening to see the work Centrepoint is doing for young homeless people in Bradford.

The charity helps them prepare for adult life by providing a place to stay and also helps to equip them with some of the skills and experience needed to find work, which in turn should help them to live independent lives.

That is especially important in a city, where even as the economy recovers from recession, still has pockets of some of the highest levels of youth unemployment in the country.

Centrepoint’s Boutique project, which has been supported by a grant from the Telegraph & Argus charitable foundation, is a prime example of this good work.

The shop, which is being built at the charity’s Bradford Foyer with the generous help of construction and property firm Wilmott Dixon, will allow the charity’s young people to sell on donated furniture and clothing at affordable prices to their peers, giving them valuable commercial experience.

Work experience is seen by Centrepoint as a vital component in preparing young people for the workplace and its new volunteering programme is designed to do just that by encouraging its young residents to give their time to support its work as well as seeking out placements with other employers.

And it is also seeking people to help them in turn, including those who can be mentors, learning and skills coaches, youth activity leaders and administrators.

It is to be hoped that firms across the district will respond to that appeal and help give these young people, many of whom have had a tremendously difficult start in life, the chance to become valuable members of society.