ACCOMODATION for homeless young people is being sought for by a Wyre Forest charity.

More voluntary hosts are needed for Wyre Forest Nightstop, based in Kidderminster, which provides a safe place to stay and support for people aged 16 to 25.

The charity is appealing for residents to help by providing a homeless young person with a meal and washing facilities on a ‘one night at a time’ basis, with the host family being reimbursed with £15 a night expenses.

Judith Ford, Nightstop project co-ordinator, said: “We currently have hosts in Kidderminster, Stourport and Bewdley but due to an increase in the demand for our services we are looking for more volunteers who feel they could host a young person for a night or two.

“These young people are usually homeless through no fault of their own - family issues and relationship breakdowns are at the heart of many of the cases we work with.

“They can be scared and lonely and it can make a huge difference to be able to place them in a home in the community whilst we are working with them to secure permanent accommodation.”

With the exception of Nightstop, most emergency accommodation for young people is in Worcester, but Judith feels the young people need to be kept in their local area.

“Experience has shown us that when they are in crisis young people prefer to stay in their own community with their friends and support networks,” she said.

“We carry out a full risk assessment on the young person before we place them on Nightstop and we always personally introduce them to the host on their first night and stay a while to ensure both host and young person are happy.

“While the young person is on Nightstop we offer a 24 hour on-call service to the host should they need any additional support.”

Throughout the last year, Nightstop has helped more than 100 homeless young people with emergency accommodation, food and clothing.

The charity has also provided mediation for 20 families helping them to re-build fractured relationships and stay together – preventing further youth homelessness.

For more information call Judith Ford or Julia Greaves on 01562 743111 or email wfnightstop@btconnect.com