Simon Community Scotland plans to set up a network of beds in homes across Glasgow.
Glaswegians are being urged to offer their spare rooms to young people on the verge of homelessness.
Simon Community Scotland (SCS) plans to set up a network of emergency beds in volunteers’ homes throughout the city.
The charity said young people would be given the opportunity to stay in their own private room for up to three nights while staff look for a longer-term solution.
SCS hopes the Nightstop initiative, which has support from the Big Lottery Fund and the Rangers Charity Foundation, will prevent 120 young people from sleeping rough over the next three years.
The decision to sleep rough is a huge one; however, once someone has slept rough once, the decision to sleep rough again is a much easier one
Hugh Hill, SCS director of services, said: “The decision to sleep rough is a huge one; however, once someone has slept rough once, the decision to sleep rough again is a much easier one.
“So, it’s vital to stop rough sleeping before it has begun.”
The call is being made for the people of Glasgow to join the nightstop network, by offering up any spare rooms they have in their homes and becoming a host. Volunteers will be given training and support from the charity.
Mr Hill added: “The Nightstop concept has been hugely successful in other parts of the country and we’re excited about the opportunity to deliver a safe, compassionate and homely alternative to potentially risky options elsewhere.”
The programme is being launched in partnership with youth homelessness charity Depaul UK, which runs 33 Nightstop services across the UK.
Nicola Harwood, head of Depaul Nightstop, said: “Last year, we provided 13,500 bed nights, increasing young people’s safety and making them less likely to sleep rough or become trapped in the cycle of homelessness.
“We are absolutely delighted to launch Nightstop in Glasgow, and to be working in partnership with Simon Community Scotland to deliver this important service.
“Nightstop is a vital service for many young people who have nowhere to turn to, and it’s fantastic to see it being launched in the city this year.”
Prospective Nightstop Glasgow volunteers with spare rooms should contact Pauline Hannigan on 0141 418 6980.
