Pictured above: Howard Farrand, chief executive of West Mercia Housing Group, along with apprentices Emma Eaton, Joe Connelly (back left) and Will Reily (back right).

A group of young apprentices have shown their solidarity for slum dwellers by staging a sponsored sleep out.

Sixteen young people, aged between 16 and 20, currently being trained by Whitefriars Housing Group (which is part of the West Mercia Housing Group) spent a night (Monday, October 5) in a replica slum in aid of Coventry-based charity Homeless International.

They were joined at Priory Place, Coventry, by West Mercia Housing Group's chief executive Howard Farrand and Homeless International boss Larry English. 

The sponsored sleep out marked the end of an eight-week project by the apprentices which has seen them work with Homeless International to understand the issues faced by slum dwellers and to build their own slum. 

It follows Mr Farrand's decision to name Homeless International, which works across Africa and Asia to help people out of slum living, his Presidential Charity as part of his new role at the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH).

To start his presidential year he challenged the young people to design a shelter to raise awareness of homelessness during World Habitat Week. The apprentices pitched their design ideas to Whitefriars and Homeless International bosses, and then set about building the winning design.

The portable slum representation the apprentices slept in was on display in Priory Place from on Monday October 5 along with display boards and leaflets created to raise awareness of homeless issues.

Mr Farrand said: "We are delighted to be able to support a local charity in their quest to help people out of slums and into long-term accommodation. This project is just a small part of my commitment to the charity, and one which will hopefully raise awareness of the problems associated with homelessness.

"At Whitefriars we work closely with other partners in the city to help people into suitable accommodation, and also offer financial support and training to enable that accommodation to become a springboard which helps people achieve their potential. For that reason this charity's work is close to my heart. 

"The apprentices have really shown their creativity and project management skills throughout this project. It is a pleasure to support them to raise valuable funds."

Larry English, chief executive of Homeless International, said: "We're delighted that Howard has selected Homeless International as the Chartered Institute of Housing's charity. It's great to have the backing of the UK's housing professionals, who truly understand the plight of homeless people.  As a charity we depend upon support and funds from the public.  We'd like to thank Howard and the apprentice team at Whitefriars for their valuable assistance."

Following the event, the portable slum will be taken around the country by Mr Farrand in his CIH capacity, to help further fundraising and awareness efforts.

Donations to support the apprentices can be made by calling Pauline Griffin at Whitefriars on 024 7676 7091.