Redditch Nightstop volunteer shares his 'wonderful' experiences

AS a Redditch charity for homeless young people makes a plea for support, the Advertiser spoke to one man who opened up his heart and his home to complete strangers more than 10 years ago.

Redditch Nightstop offers temporary accommodation to 16 to 25-year-olds who find themselves homeless. It also offers floating support, which will be given to a young person in their own home, offers mediation, and an educations programme which includes group sessions within mainstream schools, pupil referral units and other youth organisations.

Tony Pitt, of Greenlands, first took in a youngster more than a decade ago, after a talk on Nightstop’s work was given at his church.

He said: “As a committed Christian, I realised God would not like me rambling around in a four-bedroom house on my own when there were young people in need out there, so I decided to offer my support.

“As a single man, I do not have girls staying with me, it’s only young men, and they usually stay for one, two or three nights, depending on the need.”

Tony is asked about his availability and a member of Nightstop will then bring the young person to his house, where they will be shown their bedroom. If they live locally, they are able to go and visit people if they want to, otherwise they can simply stay in and watch TV.

And whether the young person wants to talk about their situation is completely up to them.

“I never pry if they don’t want to open up,” said Tony. “But many really want an impartial ear and will talk for a while about how they found themselves homeless.”

Young people are referred to Nightstop for various reasons, it can be because their situation at home has become unbearable and they have nowhere else to go, or simply because of a row they have felt the need to leave where they were living.

“Despite many being extremely upset, I have never had any trouble, and I think that concern may stop potential hosts from coming forward,” said Tony. “The charity vets them closely, they would not bring them to people’s homes if they were concerned about their behaviour or how they might react.

“Over the years, I have had such wonderful young people come to stay. One is now a doctor of physics and is doing brilliantly. “Often, after they have stayed, I see the young people in Redditch, sometimes with a parent, and they will come up and thank me for putting them up and tell me how well things are going - that is such a wonderful thing to hear. “My home is just a temporary measure for these young people as efforts are made to either find them a more permanent address or resolve their home situation.”

And Tony believes so many potential hosts could benefit from getting involved in the scheme.

“It is so rewarding. If these youngsters don’t have somewhere they can go, who knows what will happen to them on the streets and who they'll get invovled with. Nightstop’s support changes lives.”

Hosts do not need special skills or qualifications but must be able to offer a youngster their own room. Volunteers are given full training and support and all expenses are paid.

To get involved, call Nightstop on 66036 or visit the charity, based in Redditch Ecumenical Centre. It is open Monday-Friday, from 9am-5pm. Email info@redditchnightstop.co.uk