As a teenager Jo was forced to leave home, where she was suffering emotional and sexual abuse.

“When I was 18 I went to university. I had been living at home with my mum, my younger brothers and my stepdad. However, my stepdad was quite abusive, it was emotional and sexual abuse. I was literally trying to be out of the house all the time.

I got to the point where I thought ‘I can’t do this anymore’. I reported the abuse to the police. It made things really difficult at home and my relationship with my mum deteriorated. I tried to go back home, but it didn’t work out. My mum said my stepdad would always be there and I should just go, leave.”

“If I hadn’t got help from Nightstop, I would have had to sleep rough.”

Read Jo’s story

Nightstop UK is Depaul UK’s national network of trained and vetted volunteer hosts who open their doors to young people. When we refer a young person to Nightstop, they are in crisis, often facing a night on the street.

Listen to Jo share her experience of Nightstop

The difference you’re making is life-changing for young people like James. After James’ mum sadly died, he wasn’t safe with his dad and he ended up in the care system until the age of 18.

“It was the first point, in the entire time that I’ve been homeless, that I had some kind of emotional support. My hosts were extremely understanding. They weren’t trying to be my family, but they were a family in themselves, and I was just there. It was like a reset button. It gave me the stability that I’d needed ever since my mum died.”