Michael Nastari, LGBT youth homelessness prevention network co-ordinator, Jigsaw.

- What does your job entail?

I've been working on the launch of Jigsaw since last September. It is an initiative that tackles homelessness among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) young people by bringing together four organisations - Stonewall Housing, Albert Kennedy Trust, Pace and Galop. I ensure partners work together effectively. I also work directly with young people and deliver training on sexual exclusion and homelessness. I provide them with a bit of a reality check, because often they are not ready to leave home.

- How big is this issue?

Nobody collects figures on homelessness and sexual orientation, but a study in New York found that around 50 per cent of street people identified themselves as LGBT. We have helped 350 young people since September. Homelessness is just one of the problems young people face - they have suffered prejudice since primary school and have low self-esteem. Around 20 per cent of LGBT youth have self-harmed.