A CHARITY that offers emergency accommodation for homeless people on Teesside is looking for more volunteers to help bolster its ranks.

Nightstop North East, which provides places in the homes of people who have been trained a vetted by the organisation, is being forced to turn away a rising number of people as available places are limited.

Run by Depaul UK, the service is looking to recruit more volunteers to offer a room, a meal and a listening ear for vulnerable young people.

Kester Young, Nightstop project manager, said: "It is a shocking statistic that, on average, homeless people can expect to die at the age of just 47.

“The Nightstop service is designed to stop young people entering the cycle of homelessness and unemployment that can lead to this devastating outcome.

“Homelessness and rough sleeping are on the rise, and Nightstop North East wants to be in a position to provide support for everyone who needs it. We are encouraging people to come forward to help us make a lasting difference to homeless young people across Teesside this year.

“In the past few months we have seen a rise in the number of people we have had to turn away because of not having enough volunteer hosts, which is a situation we desperately want to avoid.”

Nightstop, which is backed nationally by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, works with homeless young people, in partnership with local agencies, to help them address the issues that caused them to become homeless and to secure longer-term settled accommodation.

He added: "At a time of crisis, being accommodated in a host’s home ensures that the young person is not isolated and is kept safe at night.

“Volunteering as a host is a great opportunity to join a network of like-minded people who want to have a direct, hands-on role in helping young people in their own communities.”

(Don't want to use their full name) Rebecca and Peter, who are volunteer hosts in Middlesbrough, said: “When we tell people that we volunteer for Nightstop, they are really surprised. I think it is because there is a certain stigma about homelessness.

“But when we explain about Nightstop and the young people they are helping, they understand why we do it. We feel that it is such a small thing for us to give - a spare room that isn’t really used - but that small thing can make such a big difference in someone’s life.”

If you would like to find out more about volunteering for Nightstop North East, call 01642-249782 or email nightstopne@depaulcharity.org.uk