By Alexia Murphy, CEO, Depaul UK
This winter, across the UK, thousands of young people are facing the terrifying possibility of a night on the streets. Every day, more than 350 young people lose the security of a stable home, often through no fault of their own. Family breakdowns, poverty, and abuse force them into vulnerable situations with no safe place to turn.
The demand for our emergency accommodation service, Nightstop, has surged by more than 55% across the network, and our staff are working harder than ever to meet the urgent need. At Depaul UK, we believe no young person should have to face a night on the streets, and we’ll do everything we can to prevent that from happening. That’s why we’re urgently asking for your help to keep them safe.
Nightstop is a lifeline when a young person is in crisis
Our Nightstop emergency accommodation service provides an immediate solution for young people 16-to-25 years old who have nowhere else to go. Through a network of volunteer hosts across the country, Nightstop offers more than just a safe bed for the night. Hosts provide a welcoming place to stay, a home-cooked meal, a chance to shower and clean clothes, but also the space to breathe and hope again for a brighter future. For a young person in crisis, this extraordinary act of kindness can represent a crucial turning point.
That’s why, as winter approaches and conditions on the street become unbearable, we’re asking for urgent donations to help us continue this vital service.
Why Nightstop is more than just a safe bed for the night
Nightstop is more than an emergency service, it’s the first step toward stability. We want to ensure that young people not only escape the risks of homelessness, but also build the foundations for a brighter future. Whilst trained and vetted Nightstop hosts offer a young person a safe bed for the night, our staff are working hard to find a longer-term solution. With help from our dedicated teams, young people can access support for long-term housing, mental health, education, training, and employment.
Nightstop hosts provide an extraordinary act of kindness
Nightstop wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our incredible volunteers. It’s a simple but powerful intervention: a safe place to sleep, a hot meal, and the listening ear from someone who cares.
When you donate to Nightstop, you’re helping a young person to experience an act of kindness that can change the course of their future forever.
How you can help
Your donation can have a real-life impact on a young person who is experiencing homelessness:
Nightstop is the crucial first step in a young person’s journey out of homelessness. Please donate to our appeal to keep young people safe this winter.
Thank you,
Alexia Murphy
