stories

Portrait of client rep, Oliver

Oliver’s story

Oliver had known from a young age that he was gay, but when, aged 14, he found the courage to tell his family and community, they turned on him. At 18, no longer safe at home, he left. Now, Oliver is living his dream. He’s an artist in residence and is shaping the future not just for himself, but for others.

Muddy boots

Paige’s Journey: Finding Home, One Muddy Boot at a Time

With pink-and-purple streaked hair, oversized glasses, and a calm confidence beyond her years, Paige radiates creative energy and quiet determination. She’s a teenager with big dreams and a growing sense of what it really means to feel at home — and for Paige that also means having a place in a hallway to keep her muddy boots.

Jenni and Mark

Jennie and Mark

Jennie and Mark live in Brixton with their cat Polly. They love to entertain and have a big house. Polly the cat is also very sociable and gets lots of fuss from the young people who stay. She's a great way to break the ice when a guest first arrives.

Sue Antrobus

Sue Antrobus

Sue works full time for a wildlife charity and hosts one young person every month. She does it because she wants young people to know that they’re not alone and that people they've never met before can care about them.

Janice and John stood outside their front door

Janice and John

After decades of working in Africa in the humanitarian sector, Janice and John returned to the UK and started volunteering as Nightstop hosts. They have hosted more than 50 young people and have put their Arabic skills to good use by welcoming young refugees.

Supported lodgings host stories: Alice

In 2012, Alice made a decision that would transform lives. Spurred by an announcement in a church newsletter, she volunteered as a host for Nightstop. Since then, Alice’s commitment to providing safe spaces for young people experiencing homelessness has become a cornerstone of her life.

Deborah., a supported lodgings provider poses for the camera

Supported Lodgings host stories: Deborah

When Deborah shares her experience as a Supported Lodgings host to a young woman called Paige, it’s clear how much it matters to her and how rewarding she finds the experience of hosting.

Joanne - Supported Lodgings host

Supported Lodgings host stories: Joanne

Joanne has always been passionate about helping young people, but her experience as a Supported Lodgings host with Depaul UK has been a particularly rewarding chapter in her life.

Mark Bryant standing outside his house

Mark Bryant

Mark Bryant, a former bishop, has been hosting young people at risk of homelessness for over ten years now. He has a special dish he likes to cook for guests on their first night.

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