COLLINS Dictionary defines the word enable as a verb (transitive), to provide someone with adequate means, opportunity, or authority to do something, or to make possible.

So it's rather a good name for a new scheme in York that brings together older people who need a bit of help around the home with young people who are keen to do just that, not to mention the required materials.

But there is much more to the Enable initiative than sending youngsters round to wash dishes or weed the garden. It's a partnership between the council and youth homelessness charity SASH with a core objective to teach people new skills that will come in handy when they move into their own place.

Nora Blake was the first to benefit from the scheme. At 89 she can't get around as well as she used to, so imagine her surprise at receiving a living room makeover free of charge. Nora says it was like an early Christmas present and also told us if she won the Lottery she would buy them all a house.

And there's the rub. SASH's approach to preventing youth homelessness is down to volunteer hosts; people who have a spare room and want to help make a difference to a young person in their local community.

This means they can stay in their education or work, even though they have lost their home.

We think this is a highly commendable scheme. It affords young people the chance to restore their sense of pride and gain valuable life skills.

Let's hope both initiatives go from strength to strength.