In 2013 and 2014 I slept rough as part of YMCA's Sleep Easy campaign in Southend, when temperatures hit a painful -4 degrees. It hit home for me then what it really can be like to sleep rough, and this was just for one night, with friends and a home to go to in the morning.

Since then I've volunteered at Winter Night Shelters for homeless people, seen YMCA's impact not just locally, but across the country, and the world. Millions of young people are being helped every single day, whether they be homeless, unemployed, needing support, advice, counselling, love, care - or just somewhere fun to hang out.

The need for accommodation has never been greater - rough sleeping and hidden homelessness is a crisis. YMCA Essex is helping young people right now to empower them to have a better future.