Nightstop Hosting

Being a volunteer host for SASH Nightstop is all about keeping a young person safe at a time of crisis.

Being a Nightstop volunteer is extremely rewarding as you are making an immediate difference to a young person's life. Nightstop hosts give vulnerable young people somewhere safe to stay in an emergency, an evening meal, and breakfast the next morning. Just as importantly, the young person has someone to talk to should they wish.

If you are interested in volunteering for Nightstop please read on - there is lots of information below! You can download the application form using the link below, or give us a call on 01904 652043 if you have any questions.

Want to get started?
Click here to download an application form. How does SASH help young people?
Click here to read their stories.

It's very simple! When a young person seeks help, they are referred to us if the referrer decides SASH Nightstop is appropriate. We take details over the telephone, and carry out a full risk assessment, including a Police National Computer (PNC) check on the young person. We do not offer a placement to anyone who we think could pose a risk to the host or their household.

Once we have accepted a referral, we contact the hosts who have indicated that they are available that night. We sort out travel arrangements for the young person and arrange a meeting point and time.

A member of staff will contact the host in the evening to check that the young person has arrived, and then again in the morning to see how things went. There is an emergency number available at all times for the host to contact should they have any concerns.

At the end of the month, we count up how many Nightstops each host has done, and arrange for their expenses to be paid. Hosts are paid £18.50 per night for each person they accommodate.

Nightstop hosts accommodate a young person in an emergency for one night at a time, or for up to two weeks if this is required and if the host is available. They provide the young person with an evening meal, a bed for the night and breakfast the next morning. Sometimes, the young person may need to wash their clothes.

You can download an application form using the link at the top of this page and return the completed form to us by post or email (see 'Contact Us'). The application process involves the application form, an informal interview in your home, references and CRB checks (paid for by SASH). There will be a period of induction and training at a time convenient to you. If both parties are happy that you are suitable for the role, you will then starting hosting!

If you would prefer an informal chat before completing the form, you are welcome to drop in at our offices, or we can visit you at home if you prefer - just give us a call on 01904 652043.

Once we have received your application, we will get in touch to arrange an interview. If successful, we will take up references and begin the training process as soon as possible. To ensure that young people are offered a safe placement, all prospective hosts and anyone over 16 living in their household will also need an enhanced CRB check.

If you think you can help us with this important role, please do get in touch!

• Why do young people end up homeless?
• Is it safe to have a young person in my house?
• I'm a single female living on my own can I just take females?
• I go out some evenings a week. Will this be a problem?
• What if there's a problem when your offices are closed?
• Do you provide any training?
• I leave the house at 8am, or even earlier, each morning. Can I still host a young person?
• I would like to volunteer but am on a low income. Can I claim expenses?

• Why do young people end up homeless?

  Family breakdown is the main reason. Sometimes mum or dad has a new partner, and the young person does not get on with them. Often the family home becomes overcrowded, which causes problems in itself.

• Is it safe to have a young person in my house?

  Yes it is. We carry out Police National Computer (PNC) checks and a full risk assessment on every young person that is referred to us. We do not place anyone who we feel might be a risk to a host or their household. If necessary, we also speak to agencies working with the young person to make sure we are fully informed about them.

• I'm a single female living on my own can I just take females?

  Yes, that's not a problem. Likewise, single males may be more comfortable only hosting males.

• I go out some evenings a week. Will this be a problem?

  No. We send out monthly rotas so that we know your availability on a month by month basis. Most of our hosts leave a set night a week free to host a young person.

• What if there's a problem when your offices are closed?

  We have an emergency contact available from 5pm-9am the next morning. The emergency line is available all weekend and on Bank Holidays.

• Do you provide any training?

  Yes. All our hosts are fully trained before they start hosting and we also provide ongoing training, updates through our monthly newsletter and the chance to network through our regular host forums.

• I leave the house at 8am, or even earlier, each morning. Can I still host a young person?

  Yes that's fine. Most of the young people have to return to the referral agency each morning to find accommodation for the following evening.

• I would like to volunteer but am on a low income. Can I claim expenses?

  All our hosts are paid expenses of £18.50 per night. These expenses have been agreed with the Inland Revenue and are non taxable. They will not affect any benefits you might be on.

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