Spotlight on Nightstop
This section provides an in depth look at Nightstop services across the UK. Each month we will feature a different Nightstop.
Nightstop North East
What?
Nightstop North East is a project of national homeless charity Depaul UK and is funded by The Northern Rock Foundation with some financial contribution from local authorities. The service covers an area that spans 6 local authorities.
Why?
A Nightstop service previously operated in the area but had to close due to lack of funding. Depaul UK had identified a continuing need for the service and proactively sought funding to establish Nightstop North East.
The management committee and volunteers of the previous Nightstop were involved and consulted. 7 volunteer hosts continued in their volunteering roles despite an 18 month gap in services.
When?
Nightstop North East opened its doors for referrals in October 2008 following a 6 month setting up, recruitment and consultation period. In the initial stages referrals were low for the remainder of 2008 and a considerable amount of PR work was undertaken with potential referrers. By January 2009 Nightstop North East had opened a flood gate of referrals!
Who?
The Nightstop North East Team is: Tracy McDonald - Manager, Kester Young and Liz Fry Project Workers, Annie Hodgkiss and Nessa Smyth - volunteer Administration Support, Gemma Sidgewick and Martin Rivers - Volunteer Young Peoples Advisors. The service also has 3 volunteer drivers and are in the process of recruiting to increase numbers. There are 28 hosts, who provide the accommodation for the young people, 2 of the hosts recently received 'gold' awards for services to volunteering at North Tyneside Council's Chairman's Awards.
Where?
Nightstop North East covers a large geographical area that spans 6 local authority areas across Tyne and Wear and County Durham. County Durham will have it's own full time worker with additional funding provided by the local authority.
How?
The service works particularly closely with Housing Options teams and Social Services and Youth Offending Services to ensure that a safe environment for as many young people as possible is provided including those historically thought to be unsuitable for Nightstop due to offending behaviour. Placements have been provided for many young people on bail or leaving custody and staff and volunteers strive to make it an inclusive and safe service for all young people. We hold volunteer training and social evenings every 2 months, a volunteer forum every 6 months, produce a quarterly newsletter and have our volunteers involved in wider events such as the forthcoming Depaul UK Annual Conference in London. Hosts have shadowed staff for a half day to give them a different perspective of Nightstop.
Between Jan 2008 and June 2010 820 bed nights have been provided for young people and 450 referrals actioned.
Next steps.....
Nightstop North East now receives a small amount of funding in each local authority area and is fully funded in Durham by the Local Authority. The aim is to increase Local Authority financial contributions in 2011 as well as developing Crash Pads and Nightstop plus (for over 25's).
There is also a possibility of expanding the geographical area further so that the Nightstop 'offer' is available to any young person in the North East region, regardless of whether they live in urban or rural areas.
At the core of our work is Depaul UK's ethos that every young person should have a place to call home and a stake in their community. Through unwavering commitment of our volunteers and staff we are able to achieve some great outcomes for young people accessing our service.
