Depaul UK’s Nightstop emergency accommodation network, which works  with volunteer hosts to provide rooms for young people at risk of  sleeping rough, has  held a “community fête” to thank and celebrate its volunteers. 

The event, in the historic Old Library in Birmingham, brought together  more than 60 Nightstop hosts for a day of games, food and live music to celebrate their collective contribution to preventing youth homelessness, while also learning from each other.

Depaul UK’s Nightstop network, which is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery and financial services company Deloitte, among others, started with one service in Leeds in 1987, before expanding to become a national network, currently comprising 30 services across the UK, providing emergency accommodation to more than 1,400 young people a year.

Molly Somerville, a Nightstop host for 24 years, said: “I think my fondest memories are of young people who seemed to be stuck, but have tried hard to get out of their situation, meeting up with them, on the bus or in town years later, and finding their lives have turned around. Those sort of moments are ones where you think, “Yes, it is all worthwhile”."

The event featured classic games found at community fêtes but with a topical twist, highlighting the crisis of youth homelessness in the UK and the crucial role of Nightstop in tackling it.

Depaul UK CEO, Mike Thiedke, said: “Nightstop is a vital part of our efforts to end youth homelessness in this country and we couldn’t do it without the kindness and commitment of our volunteers and hosts.

“By taking young people into their homes when they’re at risk of rough sleeping, Nightstop volunteers and hosts make a real difference to young people’s lives, tackling a national crisis that has seen the numbers of young people sleeping rough in the UK rocket by 28 percent between 2016 and 2017.”

Media Contact: Ollie Wilson, Depaul, Oliver.Wilson@depaulcharity.org.uk, 07823 412127