A YOUTH homelessness charity is seeking volunteers to support its cause – ‘Just For One Night’, writes Sage Whitfield.
Wyre Forest and South Worcestershire Nightstop and Mediation Service is urging people to join the charity by becoming volunteer hosts.
The role is about offering safe emergency accommodation ‘Just for One Night’ to help vulnerable young people in crisis.
The charity needs more hosts than ever now as youth homelessness continues to rise across the country.
It believes every young person deserves a safe place to sleep and no-one should have to face the fear and uncertainty of homelessness.
The charity is very dedicated to preventing youth homelessness across the districts of Wyre Forest, Wychavon, Worcester City and Malvern Hills in South Worcestershire.
Judith Ford, CEO of Nightstop, said: “Our homeless young people are often not those you might naturally think of.
“They may have come away from unsafe home situations and have been sofa surfing for some time without any clear direction.
“When crisis strikes and they have nowhere to go, they become very vulnerable without a place of safety.
“It is very concerning and that’s why our Nightstop service is so important and why we desperately need more hosts to support our mission.”
Helping young people in crisis
Through the Nightstop service the charity provides critical support to local young people in crisis by offering safe, emergency accommodation for those aged 16 to 25.
This short term alternative to sofa surfing, rough sleeping, or inappropriate shelter placements is a lifeline for vulnerable young people, providing not only safety but also the opportunity to rebuild their lives with dignity and support.
The crucial services which can prevent vulnerable young people from slipping into the vicious cycle of homelessness have been slashed locally. The local area has seen a 95 per cent reduction in spending on youth services since 2010, with Worcestershire in the bottom five per cent of local authorities for funding of youth services.
With a lack of recent funding, more volunteer Nightstop host providers are desperately needed.
One Nightstop volunteer host, Cath, said: “Most young people are so grateful to be offered the choice and to be offered a safe refuge from whatever is going on in their lives – and there is a lot of upset out there.”
Anyone who can help by becoming a ‘Just For One Night’ volunteer should email: [email protected] or call 01562 743111.
Visit: wyreforestnightstop.org.uk/hosting to view a video about the scheme.
