TV focus on service for homeless
THE vital work of an emergency accommodation service for young homeless people in the region is to feature in a TV documentary.
The programme follows the efforts of Nightstop North East to help youngster Kieran, 16, who has no experience of sleeping away from home but, after a row with his stepdad, faces a night on the streets.
Kieran is filmed spending the early evening at school waiting for a room to be found for him.
Against all the odds the organisation, which has a HQ in Whitley Bay, finds him a place to stay with volunteer host Lizzy.
Lizzy tells the documentary titled ‘Would You Take In A Stranger?’ that she became a Nightstop host because “I have a spare room – I can do it”.
Kieran says: “The first time I stayed with someone who wasn’t family I felt nervous knocking on the door because it was a complete stranger.
“It felt a bit weird but I had a sense of relief, knowing I had somewhere to stay. Once I got into the room and closed the door it was my time to reflect on things.”
Nightstop North East is part of a 33-strong national Nightstop network, which receives support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
Kieran says he constantly feels like crying because of his homelessness.
“I try to fight it,” he says. “Because once I start, it takes time to stop. I try not to let how I’m feeling get the better of me.”
He says that being homeless has really disrupted his education. So, Nightstop arranged for Kieran to be interviewed for supported lodgings, a longer-term accommodation project in a family environment.
Volunteer Laura, who offers him a home this time, said: “We have been putting people up for 16 years now. They fit in as part of the family. If you can see people make little steps in the right direction and get them to the point where you think this person is ready to do this on their own, that’s a lovely feeling.”
Nightstop North East’s Deborah Legg spoke of the sometimes harrowing things they have to deal with.
She said: “We had one young person who was stabbed when sleeping rough. We have had people who have been sleeping rough who were urinated on. We had another young person who said people would offer him money to punch him because he was homeless.
“Just one night can make such a difference. Often one night can prevent dangerous situations and also give people some hope that people do care.
“I would really worry if I thought Kieran was going to sleep rough. Kieran would not be able to manage on the streets. He is far too vulnerable and far too young. He would be open to abuse and would be a target. I don’t think he would survive one night.”
Director Ben Freedman filmed in Newcastle and the North East over a period of months to make the documentary, which also features Nightstop services in Brighton and Devon.
The Channel 4 documentary is being broadcast on More4 from 10pm-11pm on July 11.
If you would like to find out about becoming a volunteer host for Nightstop North East, please call Kester Young or Deborah Legg on 0191 253 6161 or email: nightstopne@depaulcharity.org.uk