June Cole has been involved with Nightstop for nearly a year. It is a project to help homeless young people fine a safe place to stay overnight, usually on a one-night basis whilst more permanent accommodation is arranged for them.
Tonight many young people in our community may have left home because of a family breakdown, abusive or violent relationships and be facing a night of uncertainty on the streets or the sofa of a reluctant friend.
What is Nightstop?
The first Nightstop took place in 1987 in Leeds; organised by local Christian
churches who recognised the growing problem of homeless young people. When we say homeless we do not just mean the people sleeping rough, but also the unrecognised ‘sofa surfers’ sleeping on friends floors or sofas not knowing where or if they have a place to stay each night.
The project was launched to provide safe emergency accommodation for young
people in approved family homes. This gives the young person time to find
and finance appropriate and permanent housing.
Suffolk Nightstop is run by St Edmunds and Waveney YMCA and are looking for help in the Felixstowe Area.
What help is needed?
To provide 1 –10 nights emergency accommodation. You can be from any family make up, all we ask is that you have a spare room, the ability to listen and an understanding of the problems young people face.
Nightstop hosts are the most integral part of the project, without which we could not operate. Training is provided together with meetings and on going support.
If you feel you could help by providing accommodation, or becoming a volunteer driver to ferry young people to accommodation, please contact Bridie Carson.
Tel: 01473 252456
Email: bridie.carson@ymcasuffolk.org.uk
