Dorset Nightstop makes urgent appeal to help homeless young people
The charity is looking for more host families in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Dorset Nightstop has been recognised for its outstanding work in preventing young people in crisis from falling into homelessness.
The charity, which provides safe emergency accommodation for people aged 18-25 in BCP and Dorset, has been named as the Homelessness Partnership BCP’s Hero for September.
Young people who are at risk of homelessness are placed with trained volunteer hosts to prevent them from ending up on the streets. During their short stay, teams rally to help them successfully move on, working with partners to secure suitable accommodation.
With the service feeling the strain from rising demand, Dorset Nightstop is appealing for new volunteer hosts in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Hosts, which can be families or individuals, offer young people a safe room for the night, an evening meal and breakfast, washing and laundry facilities - and crucially, a caring, listening ear.
Run by Action for Children, Dorset Nightstop was born in 2009 thanks to seed funding from Dorset Churches Together, expanding its service into the BCP area a few years ago.
In line with the national picture, requests for Dorset Nightstop’s services have risen steeply post-Covid. Over the last two years, the charity has provided 163% more ‘bed nights’ than it did in the previous 24 months, while support was given to 50% more people.
Despite being a Dorset-wide service, more than half (54%) of Dorset Nightstop’s referrals now come from Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
“Family breakdown is the biggest reason for young people experiencing homelessness in BCP to come to Nightstop,” explains Lynn Giles, Children’s Services Manager at Dorset Nightstop. “Initially, we were only taking referrals from other services but people can now self-refer. We carefully consider everyone.”
Could you help combat youth homelessness?
Dorset Nightstop’s volunteer hosts may house a young person for two or three nights, although some stay for a few weeks, occasionally moving between hosts. However, many hosts are located in rural Dorset, which can create anxiety for young people who have to be transported to their host – hence the need for more local accommodation.
Lynn says: “We are conscious of taking young people who live in urban areas and offering them a stay at a village some distance away in rural Dorset. We explain where they’re going and offer an option to opt out. Some people decide at the 11th hour it’s not for them.
“We provide reassurance, information about hosts and guidelines about the service. Boundaries have to be agreed: we expect young people to be back at the host’s property by 10pm; to always be respectful and abstain from alcohol and drugs. Young people do not remain in hosts’ homes if they’re not there – during the day, for example.”
Dorset Nightstop currently has around 30 volunteer hosts. Lynn adds: “Hosts receive face-to-face and online training over several months, along with screening and DBS checks, culminating in an interview with a representative from BCP Housing. It’s in-depth and incudes modules on safeguarding and health and safety. We have robust risk assessment procedures in place to protect our hosts and the young people.”
Partnership working delivers successful outcomes
While Dorset Nightstop receives many of its referrals through BCP Council, its success relies on working closely with members of the Homelessness Partnership BCP, and beyond. It has called on the services of the HealthBus - a mobile medical centre for people experiencing homelessness, and liaises with social workers and care-experienced teams.
It has worked with charitable housing association BCHA to support young people who have moved into their own accommodation, while Faithworks provides ongoing advice. Where Dorset Nightstop was not suited to a young person needing housing, collaboration with St Mungo's has secured appropriate accommodation.
The service has taken referrals from Bournemouth and Poole College, liaising to support guests who need to continue with their studies while staying at Nightstop. Young people have been supported to move into Michael House, a hostel in Bournemouth. Close work with asylum charity ICN has seen advice provided to young people seeking refuge.
Empowering successful move-ons
During their short stay with hosts, Dorset Nightstop paves the way for young people to go into supported or privately rented accommodation.
Lynn says: “The type of accommodation depends on the specific needs of each individual, and their age. We stay in touch during their transition into housing and check in with them after leaving Dorset Nightstop, although they can get in contact at any time. We can sometimes assist in accessing rent deposit schemes, helping young people to secure their own place, and provide support to get into work and education, too – whatever it takes to help them succeed in day-to-day life.”
She sums-up: "Seeing first-hand the difference that Dorset Nightstop can make to a young person’s life is incredibly humbling. I remain in awe of the generosity of volunteer hosts who open their homes, and the positive impact this has on their young guests. Being part of a caring team that supports them on a journey from being anxious, stressed and alone to feeling safe and nurtured, and then into more secure accommodation, is truly rewarding.”
If you live in the BCP area and would like to volunteer to host a young person, email dorsetnightstop@actionforchildren.org.uk
Young people at risk or experiencing homelessness should contact Dorset Nightstop on 01202 525643.