Sussex Nightstop reaches young people at risk of homelessness before they have to sleep rough and are made vulnerable to all of the risks associated with street homelessness.
To achieve this, we train Volunteer Hosts to safely offer emergency accommodation in their homes for young people referred to and assessed as suitable by Sussex Nightstop (i.e. low risk). Whilst guests are accessing the service our partner agencies work with them around their wellbeing and long-term housing plan.
Our hosts remind people at the most desperate of times that people care. They choose to open their door. Confidence and belief are important ingredients in a person’s ability to maintain the good stuff in their life, seize new opportunities and bring about positive change for themselves. Kindness – voluntarily given – is profound in its impact.
This community response works. 90% of Nightstop guests go on to safer, sustainable accommodation.
What does the opportunity involve doing?
A hugely rewarding volunteer role within a growing national movement, helping young people in housing crisis, by providing short-term stays (days, not weeks or months) in your spare room while we help them secure safe, sustainable housing.
Nightstop is a nationwide safe hosting model, accredited by Depaul UK, that recruits and trains volunteer hosts to:
Provide safe and secure, short-stay accommodation for a young person aged 16-25 years.
Provide a private bedroom for the night with an evening meal, breakfast, washing and laundry facilities, as well as a packed lunch when required. Expenses are paid.
You may be required to offer a listening ear, or some space for your guest to rest and be alone.
Our service coordinators make all the arrangements and match guests with hosts they feel will get on well together. Volunteer hosts commit to hosting nights as and when it suits them.
Visit our website to find out more, including common questions and answers and to hear from current hosts what they get out of volunteering with Sussex Nightstop.
What induction, training and support is offered?
We place great emphasis on supporting our Hosts and ensuring that Host safety and wellbeing is paramount. Support to volunteers includes:
• Volunteer host training before hosting starts.
• Access to 24 hour guidance through the Nightstop staff team and on-call service
• Regular volunteer support and supervision with a Nightstop coordinator
• Post hosting check-ins with a Nightstop coordinator
• A detailed handbook
• Ongoing access to Nightstop coordinator and staff team on a bespoke basis as needed
• Refresher training
What skills or qualities are needed?
The main attribute we need in a person is the desire to do something about youth homelessness and a spare room in Brighton and Hove or nearby. Your training will equip you with everything you need to be a great host, but ideal qualities include:
• A good understanding of boundaries and the ability to volunteer within the rules and policies of the scheme including those relating to Covid-19 procedures.
• Ability to be non-judgmental and treat all guests with sensitivity and respect, whatever their backgrounds, opinions, cultural and ethical beliefs.
• Commitment to safeguarding young people and adults and promoting their welfare.
• Excellent communication and listening skills and an ability to make topics of discussion understandable to both young people and adults.
• Commitment, patience and the ability to engage with a diverse group of people.
• No formal qualifications are required but experience with young and/or vulnerable people would be advantageous.
Date added
8th February 2022
Organisation
Location
Can be done at home
City wide
Deadline for applications
31 Dec 2022
Categories
Black and minority ethnic groups Homeless people Young people
Activities
Residential volunteering Volunteering as part of a team
Disabled access?
No
Expenses paid?
Yes
Childcare available?
No
Contact name
Liz Wakefield
Phone number
07788 318905
Email address
liz.wakefield@sussexnightstop.org.uk
https://www.sussexnightstop.org.uk/volunteer/
