Offering a lifeline to a young person in crisis is a normal part of family life for Nightstop host Becky.
Imagine growing up knowing that helping someone in need is as simple as sharing a meal and a roof for the night. That’s the beautiful reality for Becky’s children, who have always known their Manchester home as a safe haven for young people facing homelessness. Becky and her husband have been dedicated Nightstop hosts since 2021, blending family life with offering a lifeline.
Trained and vetted Nightstop hosts like Becky provide emergency accommodation for young people in crisis, offering a safe, supportive, and welcoming place to stay. It’s more than a bed; it’s a moment of stability and dignity. It’s a chance to breathe and recalibrate while our dedicated staff work hard to find longer-term solutions.
Becky and her husband first discovered Nightstop through church friends, back when their three-bedroom house felt too big for just them: “We needed to do something with it,” Becky recalls. “It was just lying there empty.” That desire to fill their spare rooms with purpose quickly led them to Nightstop, and in time, Nightstop became a natural part of their expanding family life.
Today with two small children in tow, Becky is keen to emphasise how much the Nightstop vetting process provides peace of mind for families considering hosting: “Nightstop does the checks, they know our situation, and they wouldn’t send anyone to us if they thought there was a risk” she confirms.
Being a host has also helped to teach her children compassion. “They’ve just always known it,” Becky says. “We’ll say, ‘Someone’s going to stay tonight because they need somewhere to stay,’ and they’ll be genuinely intrigued. It works nicely.” She recalls a touching moment:
“My eldest was quite sad when one young person left. She said, ‘Oh, they’ve gone. Can I send them a card?’”
Becky’s role as a host can often lead to deeper connections. “I often feel I have more interesting deep chats with the young people who stay with us than some of my friends,” Becky laughs. These conversations are a catalyst, bringing together people from vastly different walks of life.
But for Becky, the most rewarding side of Nightstop is seeing the change in their guests in just a few days:
“If someone stayed a couple of nights or a week, and at the beginning they’d been quite nervous, by the time they’re leaving, you feel you know them and you can see how much more relaxed they are.
“It’s not actually that much work for us,” Becky reflects. “We offer people food, a clean bed, and that’s about it. “
Becky is one of 284 Nightstop hosts providing emergency accommodation to young people in crisis across the UK. To find out more about hosting visit Nightstop.