Kindness of strangers and skills of staff at heart of Depaul UK’s Nightstop service

Tonight, in our towns and cities, young people experiencing homelessness are settling for a freezing bench or a damp doorway as their bed.

Depaul UK’s emergency accommodation service, Nightstop, provides a safe place to sleep and a warm welcome for a young person in crisis, a hot meal and access to washing facilities too.

Our national network of trained and vetted volunteers are ordinary members of the public who offer their spare room to a young person to keep them safe from the risks of sleeping on the streets.  This extraordinary act of kindness represents a crucial turning point for a young person in crisis. Once safe from harm, they can receive help from our staff to find longer-term accommodation, and support to find stability in their lives. Our aim is to ensure young people leave homelessness behind for good.

It’s a truly special combination – the kindness of strangers and the skills of our staff for as long as young people need.

Young people, like Mo, with no safe place to sleep this winter urgently need your help

“I became homeless aged 21. I was living with my siblings and after several arguments over bills and some personal family issues I had to leave.

“With nowhere to go and no means of supporting myself without a job, I went to the council who referred me to Nightstop.

“I was with Nightstop for around five months and met lots of lovely people during that time. There’s one host couple who I remember well. They were an elderly couple and I used to cook meals for them, which wasn’t expected of me, but I insisted as I really enjoy cooking. They loved it – I know how to make a good curry!

“During the time I was with Nightstop I stayed in touch with the council as I was still officially homeless. I did my housing application and eventually they offered me a place, which I’m currently living in now. It’s a one-bed ground floor flat which I’ve made my own.

“My confidence and wellbeing have grown so much since I got this place. It’s full of lovely second-hand pieces too like a sofa, dining table and other things, thanks to a range of people who helped me set up home.

“Things have really levelled up over the last few years since I got my place. I’ve also got a full-time job I love, so you should never give up.”

Keeping young people safe is an extraordinary act of kindness

Our work is rooted in the spirituality and example of St Vincent de Paul, a Catholic social reformer in the 17th century. He noticed the efforts of ordinary people and their acts of kindness and generosity towards the poor and dedicated his life to serving them by leveraging the human goodness he saw. Today, his legacy lives on through our Nightstop hosts, volunteers and donors who offer their kindness and generosity to young people facing homelessness.  Will you give the gift of a safe night’s sleep this winter?

Kindness costs nothing but providing a safe and effective service does have a price tag

We have volunteers ready to welcome young people into their homes. But the costs of food, fuel, clothing, training, and vetting volunteers, and providing ongoing support from teams of staff, do come at a price. This is why we urgently need donation if we are to transform young lives this winter.

Just £54 could provide a young person with a safe night’s sleep in the home of a Nightstop host. This includes a hot meal, laundry facilities, a shower, travel expenses, a pack of toiletries and a pair of pyjamas.

Your donation today will help us to continue this vital work, providing a safe place and hope for young people like Mo this winter.

Thank you.