Urgent plea for younger volunteers to host homeless children in Dorset
Temporary accommodation's needed for 16 to 25-year-olds.
Action for Children's Dorset Nightstop is making an urgent plea for younger volunteers to support its work with homeless young people across the county.
The project provides emergency temporary accommodation to homeless young people aged 16 to 25 from across the region, placing them with volunteer host families, typically for up to three nights, while local agencies find a long-term solution.
Action for Children, who runs the service say many of their volunteers are older and therefore more likely to meet coronavirus high risk criteria.
That means the hosts are unable to take in children at the moment.
Laura, 35, and Carl, 36, from Christchurch, have volunteered for Dorset Nightstop for over two years, and have offered temporary shelter to five young people.
Laura said:
“It’s meant a lot to us to have been able to be there for these young people and be that first step up to a better situation for them.
“Many of those we’ve supported simply had nowhere to turn after a family argument or relationship breakdown. Others couldn’t afford their private accommodation anymore for one reason or another and had no support network to fall back on.”
Children were hosted for around 200 nights last year, but far fewer this year due to support services in place locally.
The charity has around 14 volunteer families in the county, stretching from Bridport to Christchurch.
Volunteer coordinator, Simon Keys, said:
"We recognise some people might be reluctant to host a homeless young person at this challenging time but we’re putting risk assessments in place to take account of Covid-19.
"The coronavirus crisis and lockdown has put a lot of pressure on families since March but also on services like ours across the region.
"So we need new volunteers now more than ever – particularly younger hosts who we can place young people with despite the pandemic. We have a lot of scared and vulnerable homeless young people who are just very grateful for a safe and secure home for a few days while we help them back on their feet."
Can you help?
Action for Children’s Dorset Nightstop offers full training and support to all its volunteers, as well as reimbursement of expenses associated with carrying out the role.
Volunteers can be from anywhere in the region but need to be over 21 years old. They also need to be able to drive and have access to a car.
The next training sessions start on Tuesday 22 September and will be held virtually and at a venue in the Bournemouth area.
To find out about becoming a volunteer host for Dorset Nightstop or offer your driving services, call Simon Keys on 07779 029 292 or email simon.keys@actionforchildren.org.uk.