Search on for volunteers willing to provide room for homeless

WORKERS at a charity for the homeless have appealed for volunteers who can offer a temporary bed in their home for young people who would otherwise be sleeping on the street.

The Doncaster-based M25 Housing and Support Group has launched South Yorkshire’s first Nightstop scheme, which aims to offer help to “vulnerable young people”.

Similar schemes already operate in Bradford, York and Leeds; accommodation is arranged with volunteers on a night-by- night basis until a permanent home is found.

Project worker Steph Robinson said young people in Doncaster could become homeless for several reasons, including arguments which may force them to leave home.

She added some young people only need a night’s “breathing space” while others required more intensive help with relationships or assistance to find their own housing.

“We are looking for volunteers who can help us make a positive impact on the lives of vulnerable young people,” said Ms Robinson, who works from a base in Doncaster town centre.

“We need people who have a spare room and time to listen and give support to a young person who may be in distress. We can offer comprehensive training and support and volunteers will be provided with financial assistance.

“Even if a volunteer can only spare one night a week we still want to hear from them, because that one night can make all the difference.”

The Nightstop service will be offered to young people between 16 and 25 who will go through a thorough assessment before being placed with volunteer accommodation providers.

The charity said the safety of young people and volunteers was a “key priority” and said all volunteers would have to undertake “specific training” before starting their role.

Nightstop schemes operate in 45 towns and cities throughout the country, including those in Yorkshire. Leeds was the first Nightstop scheme when it opened in 1987.

The services are co-ordinated by national charity DePaul UK which was founded in the late 1980s by the then Roman Catholic Archbisishop of Westminster Cardinal Basil Hume.

Neil and Dee Hadfield, who are volunteers with the charity’s Nightstop scheme in Hartlepool have encouraged others to take part after helping more than half a dozen youngsters in recent months.

Mr Hadfield, a 56-year-old bus driver, who has grown-up children said: “We just wanted to help in a practical way. Instead of saying ‘why’, we said ‘why not’? The young people deserve an opportunity.”

His 56-year-old wife added: “We get a phone call saying there is a young person who needs a home for a short time and they are vetted at Nightstop before being brought to the house.

“When people think of homeless, some can think of dirty people who are addicted to drugs and alcohol, but this isn’t like that at all. It is often just people who have had a family argument and need somewhere to stay for a short period of time.

“When the young people arrive at our house they are sometimes a bit quiet and awkward. After all, it is a strangers’ home. But after we offer them a meal and show them around, they are so grateful. Their faces light up.”

DePaul UKs national Nightstop manager Sue Trenerry said she was delighted that a scheme had finally been set up in South Yorkshire and hoped that more would follow.

She added: “I actually live in Doncaster so it is great to see this happening on the doorstep.”

Anyone interested in helping the Doncaster scheme can contact Ms Robinson on 01302 361777. She and her team will also be holding information events throughout the Doncaster area.