Project notes: Azuka Befriending Scheme

Goals: To give support to young people of African, Asian and Caribbean backgrounds who are at risk of becoming homeless

Funding: The service received 625,000 from the Supporting People programme, an initiative by the Government to provide funding for local authority support services. For other events, the project has to seek independent funding

In the five years that the Azuka Befriending Scheme has been running in Nottingham, the project has provided support and advice to more than 200 young people from ethnic minorities who are facing homelessness.

The scheme matches young people between the ages of 16 and 25 with mentors who provide them with support and advice. Its name comes from the West African word "azuka", which means "support is paramount". In 2001, the project's success was acknowledged when it scooped a national Roy Griffiths Award for good practice.