NEWS RELEASES
Somewhere to stay
15th December 2006
PLANS are being considered for the establishment of a scheme in Horsham which will help homeless or vulnerable young people.
Nightstop UK is an umbrella organisation supporting a network of 47 affiliated Nightstop schemes throughout the UK.
The Nightstop concept is a simple one: trained volunteers, who have been approved and vetted through Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks, offer between one and three nights accommodation in their own homes to carefully selected 16-25 year old homeless young people, who may be roofless or staying in dangerous unsuitable accommodation.
The idea is to give a bit of time to find a more appropriate, long term solution for young people who find themselves in a crisis situation.
Sometimes the solution will be to help the family resolve difficulties and for the young person to return home; on other occasions it will be to find some other kind of accommodation or help for the young person.
The Horsham Nightstop Steering Group has been formed and consists of Horsham District Council, Sussex Police, Horsham District Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (HDCDRP), Collyer’s Sixth Form College, the Information Shop for Young People, Social and Caring Services, the YMCA, Connexions, Horsham Youth Service and Brighton Road Baptist Church.
The Steering Group is identifying funding options and supporting the progression the project, which is supported by Horsham’s Housing Options Forum.
All volunteers will be fully trained CRB checked and will have full support of the worker while hosting a young person.
The project has applied for HDCDRP funding but will still need further funding too.
There is no other similar project in the area and there is a demand for this service.
Kirsty Lindgren, Youth and Older Persons Officer at Horsham District Council, said:
“We believe the project will fill the current ‘gap’ and avoid young people living on the streets or ‘sofa surfing’, living in unsuitable circumstances.
“A Nightstop scheme in Horsham would aim reduce the number of incidents of anti-social behaviour at night, while increasing the safety of young people and the community as a whole.
“We are hoping to be able to launch the project by spring 2007.”
Nightstop Horsham is still looking for some funding and volunteers to offer short term accommodation for Young People within the Community.
For more information contact Kirsty Lindgren at Horsham District Council on 01403 215122 or email kirsty.lindgren@horsham.gov.uk.
Further information on Nightstop can be found online, or call 01274 533004.
Ends
CONTACT: Richard Morris, Communications Manager
Email: richard.morris@horsham.gov.uk