Report by Charlotte Ingleby
STAFF at Redditch Nightstop are appealing for more big hearted hosts to offer a roof over the heads of the borough’s young homeless.
They say that homelessness is on the increase and as well as offering emergency overnight accommodation for at risk youngsters they are also seeking people who might be able to help on a longer term basis.
They believe if young people were offered more stable accommodation they wouldn’t be constantly facing the difficulty of moving on.
Susan Sadler from the charity said: “Being a host is a rewarding job. Offering those in need a new perspective. Helping them get to a better place in life by acting as a role model.”
She said a host would share their home and offer a homeless youngster a room for a single night or long term.
The aim is to prevent young people from falling into the dangers of life on the streets and to give them the skills to become stable and independent.
Susan said the long term aim was to give the young homeless the confidence to go for job interviews, resume education, manage their money and reform their relationships. “The security of having a stable home and family support system is taken for granted and it is a devastating if people don’t have this,” said Susan.
The funded charity act on the homelessness of 16 to 25 year old individuals.
It acts as a local support group ansd helps find accommodation for the most vulnerable.
One 17 year-old helped by Nightstop said: “Nightstop help a lot of people. If they closed, I’d have to go back to doing bad things to live.
“My Dad’s always been selling drugs. My Mom died from drugs so it’s something I’ve always been around. I don’t want that life, Nightstop got me away from it.”
For more information on how to help Redditch Nightstop email [email protected] or call 01527 66036.
