World Homelessness Day on the 10th of the 10th
 On the 10th of the 10th 2011 millions of people around the world will mark World Homeless Day in many varied ways and change the lives of homeless people in their local community.
For many, the thought that homelessness exists within the New Forest is a shock and surprise. New Forest Nightstop, the project run by Community First New Forest, and the only provider of emergency accommodation for 16-24 year olds within the Forest, is in touch with the reality of it.
Project Co-ordinator, Jude Todd explains, “There are many young people experiencing different levels of homelessness in the New Forest and New Forest Nightstop strives to help as many as we can before they become victims of the dangers of rough sleeping. These young people are very vulnerable and find themselves in terrible circumstances mainly through family breakdown.
We are highlighting this for World Homelessness Day on the 10th of the 10th as it is a global event encouraging local action. We are asking that people vote, from the comfort of their homes, for New Forest Nightstop in the NatWest Community Force initiative which works with local communities to support the people, projects and charities making a real difference where you live.”
Jude adds, “To put this into context, £20 buys a night with a bed, bath, laundry and 3 meals but it’s so much more than a B&B, as it also buys protection, safety from rape, a sense of value, a listening ear and, perhaps most importantly, hope. If people can take a moment to gather friends and all vote for New Forest Nightstop in the NatWest Community Force initiative, we could receive £6000. This would buy 300 nights of safety for these young homeless in the New Forest. Any one can do it.”
This is an opportunity for those with the most votes per region (New Forest Nightstop are in Salisbury region) to win one of three prizes of £6000. Nightstop are competing against 57 other projects in our area, so every vote counts!
Look up New Forest Nightstop (project 1103) on the NatWest CommunityForce website http://communityforce.natwest.com/project/1103 to register and vote.
If you would like to make a donation to New Forest Nightstop, or any of the other projects run by Community First New Forest, contact Joss Ridge, Business Support Manager on 01425 482773 or email businesssupport@cfnf.org.uk. Anyone interested in volunteering with Nightstop should contact Jude Todd on 01425 478391 or email nightstop@cfnf.org.uk.
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