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The History Of Nightstop

The Nightstop project is a scheme providing safe and secure emergency accommodation for young people between the ages of 16 - 25 who are homeless, in the homes of a network of trained volunteer hosts.

Nightstop began in Leeds as a result of the 'Faith in the City' report published in 1985 and the local version, 'Faith in Leeds' report published in 1986. A practical working group researching youth homelessness discovered an urgent need for emergency accommodation for young people. Some members of the working group were already providing accommodation for young homeless people and a suggestion was made that this could be done on a more organised basis with a wider network of people and could be called Nightstop.

After a years feasibility study, research and preparation, the idea was publicised through the Faith in Leeds Network and the scheme was launched at a public meeting in September 1987.

Since January 1992, when the BBC 'Everman' series featured Leeds Nightstop, there has been a dramatic growth in the number of Nightstop projects. In November 2004, there were 48 operational Nightstops.

Nightstop Advice and Consultancy Sevice was introduced and took over the information, advice, support and development role which Leeds Nightstop had found themselves performing.

Nightstop UK is the governing body to which all of the Nightstop schemes are affilliated. It ensures all Nightstop schemes meet certain standards and that they adhere to the Policies. Nightstop UK also offers volunteers, workers and committee members the opportunity to meet to exchange ideas, share good practice and participate in training events and the Nightstop conference.

In 2007 Nightstop UK merged with the DePaul Trust.

Development of Nightstop Teesside

Langbaurgh Homeless Awareness Group (now known as HARC - Homeless Awareness in Redcar & Cleveland) was fomed in late 1992 in response to concerns raised by a number of local individuals and organisations working with and helping young people seeking advice on finding themselves homeless. This led to a Homeless Awareness Event held at Rye Hills School in Redcar in November 1992, to raise awareness and understanding of the issue of homelessness in Langbaugh and encourage ideas and action.

The event was very well attended and as a result and as a result of the various workshops, key ways forward were identified. Because of this positive response it was decided to continue the group which has been very active in campaigning against homelessness and initiating new projects.

One of these projects is Nightstop which has been expanding throuought the country very successfully for a number of years. Each area runs its own Nightstop, but is affilliated to Nightstop UK which issues guidlines and advice.

LHAG felt that Nightstop was a good emergency provision for homeless young people and decided to check interest among the general public through a newspaper article. This resulted in a number of people coming forward with the offer of a room and they formed the foundation to get the project up and running.

In August 1997 a Project Coordinator and Administration Worker were appointed and Nightstop in Redcar was officially open. In November 1997 Nightstop in Redcar merged with Stockton Nightstop to form Nightstop Teesside.

Since opening Nightstop Teesside has provided over 1751 nights accomodation for vulnerable young people..

Nightstop Teesside is a registered Charity No. 1120083 and a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5888191.

All correspondance should be sent to our registered office at 17 Queen Street, Redcar, TS10 1AB