A PROJECT that helps homeless young people find a bed for the night is expanding its role on Teesside.

Nightstop North East, part of youth homelessness charity Depaul UK, is seeking a full-time project worker based in Middlesbrough after receiving funding from the Northern Rock Foundation.

The move follows the closure of partner scheme based in Redcar, Nightstop Teesside, which had provided more than 9,600 nights of emergency accommodation to vulnerable young people during the past 16 years.

The charity and the Northern Rock Foundation decided to work together to ensure the essential service provided by local volunteers was not lost.

Project manager Kester Young (CORR) said: “We’re delighted that we will be able to continue our work in Teesside.

“The grant from the Northern Rock Foundation means we can employ a full-time member of staff and recruit more volunteer hosts and drivers, whose continued commitment is vital to the success of the scheme.”

The scheme helps homeless young people find a safe place to stay while their problems are sorted out.

Hosts offer a young person a spare bed, food and the use of facilities for a night or two while staff at the project try to find more permanent accommodation.

Volunteers must have a clean driving licence and their own vehicle to take the young person to the host’s house, usually in the early evening.

Richard Walton, of the Northern Rock Foundation, said: “The Nightstop network plays a vital role, especially in the current financial climate, in ensuring young people stay safe rather than sleeping rough because they have nowhere else to go.”

To ask about becoming a volunteer host or driver, call Nightstop North East on 0191-253-6161 or email nightstopne@depauluk.org