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A new 'Nightstop' service is being launched in Guernsey to offer emergency overnight shelter to young people in crisis.
It will provide emergency temporary accommodation to homeless young people aged between 16 and 25 - years - old, through volunteer hosts.
Action for Children is leading the scheme through its Guernsey Youth Housing Project.
"Providing young people with the foundations they need to thrive is key to our mission in Guernsey," said Aaron Davies, Action for Children Services Manager in Guernsey.
"For some young people, having a safe and warm place to go when they feel they have nowhere else to turn can be an essential first step in building a positive future.
"It really can be life changing help for those vulnerable teenagers and young adults. We just couldn’t provide the support we do without our amazing volunteers, who tell us it’s hugely rewarding to see firsthand the difference they’re making."
The hosts will offer a safe place to sleep, a hot mean, and a listening ear, said the charity.
The placement may be for one night, at very short notice, but it could last for up to five nights, while the charity works to find longer-term solutions.
Training is given to all volunteer hosts, with expenses reimbursed too.
Pictured: Action for Children's office is on Victoria Road in St Peter Port.
Action for Children has been working in Guernsey since 2001, with a focus on giving young people aged between 13 and 25 "the foundations they need to thrive".
The charity delivers various programmes in the community responding to and seeking to prevent youth homelessness. One of these is the Guernsey Youth Housing Project which helped more than 60 young people with housing issues in 2023.
Action for Children also supports young people in other ways, to reduce their chance of becoming homeless such as employment and substance misuse.
The charity has recently had planning permission to convert the top floors above its office in to six one-bedroom flats to offer housing to young people.
Provide young people with a clean, safe, and private room.
Provide young people with an evening meal, breakfast, and packed lunch.
Provide young people with a shower or bath and the opportunity to wash their clothes.
A desire to support young people.
An ability to relate to people on a one to one, non-judgmental basis.
A spare room available for a Nightstop guest to use at short notice.
Mr Davies said anyone interested in becoming a Nightstop volunteer can find out more at two open events.
The first will be held on Tuesday 14 May at the Action for Children offices on Victoria Road, St Peter Port, between 18:00 and 19:00. The second will be held at Lloyds Bank on the Bridge, on Saturday 25 May between 11:00 and 12:00.
For more information, you can also contact the service directly via email guernsey@actionforchildren.org.uk
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