Sussex Nightstop community project

Roofs for Youths

Sussex Nightstop is a community project responding to local youth homelessness. The project recruits, trains and supervises people from the local community who have a spare room. Through its team of volunteer hosts the project provides accommodation across Brighton and Hove and West Sussex within family homes.

The project has been running in Brighton since winter 2010. Last year it provided over 300 nights of accommodation to young people aged between 16 and 25. Some young people stay for just a few nights whilst others require a few weeks of stable accommodation before they are ready to move on to longer term accommodation.

All young people referred onto the scheme are risk assessed and have a professional Housing, Youth or Social worker coordinating their placement.

Tony* was living with his father. After an argument, his father asked him to leave home. Tony was 17 and at college with real plans for his future. He was placed with Nightstop until a place in longer term supported accommodation was found for him. The host commented that, “It was obvious that Tony just needed to get settled so that he could get on with his studies, complete his exams and focus on his future which was to become an accountant.”

Other hosts have said about the project: “As a family we get so much from knowing we are making a difference to someone,” and: “It’s a pleasure to get to know these young people and feel you are learning from them.”

Sussex Nightstop is currently looking for hosts to join our team. Hosts receive in-depth skills and knowledge-based training and 24-hour support. Expenses are paid to hosts on the shorter placements and a rental payment and expenses are paid to hosts that sign up to longer term placements.

To find out more visit www.sussexnightstop.org.uk or contact 07887 492 927.
*Name changed.