Terry Jones wants to help improve services for young people

Terry Jones wants to set up a dedicated hotline offering advice to homeless youngsters in the area.

The 18-year-old said improvements to the current service are vital to help young people.

"There are a lot of young people who have nowhere to go," he said.

Terry was elected by members of Bridgend youth council, which is made up of 14 to 25-year-olds from different backgrounds.

"During my time as youth mayor I want to focus on this problem mainly because I have had problems with it myself.

There are a lot pf properties which are boarded up and yet there are people sleeping rough Terry Jones, youth mayor

"I'm living in supported housing now but before that I was a 'sofa surfer' - sleeping in friends' houses.

"There is a big problem in the area.

"Lots of young people are sleeping in friends' houses and the problem is worse for boys."

He said that boys were not seen as a priority for housing and that many were often forced to sleep rough because they had no where to go.

"It is quite annoying because there are a lot pf properties which are boarded up and yet there are people sleeping rough," said Terry, who moved to Bridgend from his home city Birmingham.

He said that he plans to meet with housing officials later in the summer to discuss the problem and find ways of helping tackle the issue.

Terry, currently unemployed and a keen rapper in his spare time, took up the voluntary post of youth mayor for Bridgend after spending time as a member of the youth council.

Bridgend Council said that it was working closely with Terry and the rest of the youth council on the issue of homelessness in the area.

It said that it recognised the need for a 24-hour helpline and for more housing to be made available.

"The council is already working with the youth mayor to identify the requirements for the 24/7 helpline," said a spokesman.

"There has been a follow-up meeting with the youth mayor and other members of the youth council to move forward on this helpline.