Pupils say they have loved volunteering to help provide a bed for the night for homeless people – and choosing their favourite colour of toothbrush for them.

Every Wednesday for the past six weeks, Year Three pupils at St Andrew’s Primary School in Southgate have visited their namesake church to prepare beds set up in the church hall.

Their work has included put the sheets and duvet covers on the beds and make sure the area is clean and tidy, which teaches them about responsibility as well as the realities of homelessness.

Since beginning their helping role, the children have been praised for their efforts and have also enjoyed their time with the project.

One of the pupils said: “It has been fun – the most fun bits have been working as a team, and choosing what colour toothbrush to give to the person. I always try and pick the pink or purple one.

“It has changed the way we look at homeless people. I want to do more volunteering now.”

Reverend Ed Turner said he originally had misgivings over whether children as young as seven could be responsible enough, but that the students had met the challenge.

He said: “They have been amazing, we could not have done it without the children. It’s a fun activity for them, but also gets them thinking about difficult questions regarding the people who come here.

"They have offered to bring in games and to see the people who arrive on an evening, but usually anyone who does come here just wants to sleep.

“You can see how important this project is by the fact we provide 16 beds and they are always full. I stay in the church overnight too, but I have to sleep in the chapel on a £5 lilo.

“Most schools do good work raising money for charity, but this is something immediate and tangible, which the kids can see makes a difference.

“I was slightly doubtful that Year Three pupils would manage it, but they take it seriously. They don’t need to know all the gory details about the homeless to help them out.”

It is the first year the scheme has been run at the church after being introduced in Enfield two years ago.

It runs until mid-March, and Rev Turner hopes another school year group would be able to help out in future weeks.