A GROUP of gutsy teenagers have spent a night sleeping rough in order to raise awareness of homeless people.

The troupe, which consists of around two dozen Swindon teens aged between 15 and 17, camped outside the Central Community Centre, Emlyn Square, from 6pm until midnight on Monday as part of their fourth and final week on the National Citizen Service programme.

The willing participants brought their sleeping bags and left their phones at home in a bid to get some idea of what it must be like to live on the streets.

Group leader Jess Adams said: “Tonight is all about raising awareness and getting the young people to understand what it’s like to be homeless.

“We have been quite lucky in that everyone has decided they wanted to do this, though there has been quite a mix of emotions. Some think it will be scary when it gets dark and it’ll probably be quite boring.”

“We originally planning on doing a full night but because we’re in a residential area we were restricted to only camping out until midnight.”

The NCS programmed has seen the teens undergo a range of activities over the past few weeks, from abseiling in South Wales to helping at the Swindon Food Bank.

Jess added: “Some of them started out with a bit of negativity, but everyone has stuck with it and they have been up for whatever we have thrown at them.”

Nikka Pomponi, events and fundraising coordinator at Threshold, the homeless charity the group is supporting, said: “The enthusiasm the young people have shown is absolutely amazing, they have been fantastic.

“The aim of this evening is not just to raise money but to get some insight into what it’s like to be a homeless person and it’s really heart-warming to see a large group of young people pro-active and showing that they care.”

Lizzie Yeates, 17, from Stratton, said: “It has been quite an experience. I started off quite nervous and I wouldn’t have spoken to half these people before, but I have made new friends and it has really built my confidence.”

The NCS programme, which lasts for four weeks, encourages young people to come together to develop life skills and build new friendships.

Khalid Al-Bannai, 16, of West Swindon, said: “My initial thought was that it would be very uncomfortable, which it is, and very boring. But as there are plenty of us here, at least it won’t be lonely.”

For more information, log on to www.ncsyes.co.uk.