A Dorset charity dedicated to supporting homeless young people has issued an urgent appeal for winter volunteers following its busiest year ever.
Action for Children’s Dorset Nightstop service, which offers emergency accommodation for young people aged 16 to 25, saw demand soar to unprecedented levels between April 2024 and March 2025. During this period, the charity provided 308 safe nights, including 157 overnight stays in just the first six months—nearly matching the total of 165 stays from the entire previous year.
Nightstop matches young people in crisis with volunteer host families while collaborating with local agencies to find longer-term housing solutions. Many of these young people are escaping unsafe or unstable homes and require immediate support to stay safe.
Katy Overton, volunteer coordinator for Dorset Nightstop, highlighted the increasing challenges: “The cost-of-living crisis combined with limited housing availability means we’re supporting more young people at risk of homelessness than ever before.”
She continued, “Our dedicated staff work closely with housing, social care, and other organizations to provide short-term stability while seeking permanent solutions. This vital work depends entirely on our incredible volunteers, whose generosity transforms the lives of vulnerable teens and young adults.”
The charity plans to start a new round of volunteer training sessions in early November and is especially seeking hosts in Bournemouth and Poole, where demand for emergency accommodation is rising sharply.
Longtime volunteer hosts Malcolm and Debbie from Blandford have been supporting young people through Nightstop since 2008. Debbie, 62, shared their profound experience: “Providing a bed for someone homeless was something we could do. Every young person we’ve hosted is unique—some shy, some outgoing, all extremely grateful. It has been deeply rewarding for us as hosts.”
One young woman, Chantelle, 18, credits the service with changing her life. After leaving home at 16 and spending time living with her grandmother in Ireland, Chantelle returned home, only to face homelessness again. Reaching out to Nightstop in April, she found refuge with hosts who not only provided safe accommodation but also offered food vouchers and support with her transition to independent living.
Chantelle said, “I had no idea what I would have done without the support of my housing officer and Dorset Nightstop. Staying with Nightstop hosts felt awkward at first, but they were welcoming and made me feel comfortable. They helped me every step of the way, including getting ready for my flat tenancy. I’m incredibly grateful and will remember this support for the rest of my life.”
Now living independently, Chantelle offers this advice to other young people facing similar struggles: “Having the courage to leave a bad situation is so important. If I had known about Nightstop earlier, I would have reached out sooner. Help is out there, and it can make all the difference.”
Dorset Nightstop provides full training, ongoing support, and reimbursement for expenses to all volunteers. Hosts must be over 25 and may come from anywhere in the region. While having a car is helpful, it is not essential.