Dorset Nightstop issues urgent call for volunteers as homeless youth numbers rise
Volunteers can provide emergency accommodation for homeless 16-25- year-olds
Dorset Nightstop, run by Action for Children, has issued an urgent appeal for volunteers to support homeless young people across the county, as winter approaches.
The service provides emergency, temporary accommodation for 16 to 25-year-olds, placing them with volunteer families while local agencies work on longer-term solutions.
The program not only offers a safe place to stay but also provides essential items, practical support, and a network of care to help vulnerable young people through difficult times.
The service saw record demand last year, with volunteers providing 308 safe nights from April 2024 to March 2025.
So far in 2025, 157 beds have already been provided, putting the service on track to surpass that figure.
Katy Overton, Dorset Nightstop Volunteer Coordinator, said:
“The cost-of-living crisis and lack of available accommodation means we’re supporting more young people than ever at risk of being homeless.   
“Our staff work closely with housing, social care and other third sector organisations, providing young people with the short-term security they need, whilst they search for a more settled living arrangement.
“We simply couldn’t do this without our amazing volunteers, who provide life-changing help for those vulnerable teenagers and young adults. 
“We understand that people may be apprehensive about taking a young person in, but we offer ongoing support to our volunteers, and we have received positive feedback from our previous hosts about how rewarding the experience is."
Dorset Nightstop provides full training, ongoing support, and reimbursement for expenses to all volunteers. Applicants must be over 25, and while driving is helpful, it is not essential. Volunteers can come from anywhere in the region.