Tim and Loretta are busy people, each running businesses and with an active social life involving a good deal of travel. They have hosted with us for eight years now and very much enjoy their role. They’ve even encouraged their friends to step forward to host with Sussex Nightstop!
Comms & Engagement Lead Liz caught up with them to hear their views on hosting with us.
Loretta: We found out about Nightstop through someone I met at work – it sounded like a brilliant idea. We had two teenage children in the house at that time and one of the questions we had as a family was whether we’d feel safe hosting. When that question was turned around at the host training and the trainer said to us, “Can you imagine how frightening it must feel for a young person to be knocking on the door of a house they’ve never been to before, with people they’ve never met before?” it put a whole different spin on it. We always think about that when we have a new guest staying with us and the training (which is excellent) helps hosts achieve the perfect balance of being welcoming and low-key, so guests feel comfortable from the start.
Tim: We find hosting with Nightstop really rewarding… it’s a flexible role where you can host as little or as much as you want. We enjoy meeting young people from different backgrounds and they’re all lovely – they’re just in need of a bit of help and it feels good being able to offer that.
I also chair the Board, which I love, as you get to work with a diverse bunch of people with different skills who all care passionately about helping young people on the verge of sleeping rough. You also get to work closely with the amazing Sussex Nightstop team!
Find out more about volunteering with Sussex Nightstop.