Creating Safe Spaces for Young People: #Willdoes Supports Dorset Nightstop
At #Willdoes, we are passionate about supporting charities that make a real impact on the lives of young people — especially when they are at their most vulnerable. That’s why we’re proud to have supported Dorset Nightstop, a vital service offering emergency accommodation to young people aged 16–25 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Dorset Nightstop provides more than just a bed for the night. It offers a lifeline — a safe, welcoming home with trained volunteer hosts, along with practical help, transport, and emotional support. The service gives young people the breathing space they need to get back on their feet and work toward a more stable future.
Thanks to funding from #Willdoes, Dorset Nightstop has:
Hosted 18 young people between October 2023 and March 2025, delivering 310 bednights — that's 310 individual nights of safe accommodation for those with nowhere else to go
Trained 7 new host families and 1 volunteer driver
Supported 137 young people with advice and guidance
Provided essential transport to college, work, and appointments
Strengthened its small but dedicated team through supervision and team-building
Despite operating without statutory funding and with just one full-time staff member, Dorset Nightstop continues to meet rising demand in a challenging housing climate. Referrals average 10 per month, and young people are staying longer — a sign of just how essential the service is.
Our funding helped make this possible — and we are proud to support such a compassionate and impactful project. Dorset Nightstop is now preparing to expand their work, recruit new hosts, and launch a newsletter to keep supporters informed.
From all of us at #Willdoes, thank you to the Dorset Nightstop team for all that you do.
We’re honoured to help create safe spaces for young people — in memory of Will.
Need help or want to get involved?
If you are a young person in need of emergency accommodation — or if you’d like to support Dorset Nightstop as a host or volunteer — please get in touch:
🌐 Website: service.actionforchildren.org.uk/dorset-services/dorset-nightstop
📧 Email: dorsetnightstop@actionforchildren.org.uk
📞 Phone: 01202 525643