Leading children's charity NCH is to set up a new scheme to help homeless young people in Bristol.

The Nightstop scheme has been commissioned by the Government's Rough Sleepers Unit and will provide safe short-term accommodation for vulnerable young people between 16 and 21 year old.

Newly appointed project co-ordinator Cat Summers is leading the recruitment drive for 'Hosts' in time for the launch of the project later this summer.

NCH already conducts considerable work with homeless young people in Bristol through its Bristol Housing and Solutions Projects.

The new Nightstop project, which is affiliated with Nightstop UK, will compliment the existing services by offering overnight accommodation where bed and breakfast or hostel provision are not appropriate or may put the young person at risk.

The format of the service follows a model that has worked successfully in various towns and cities across the UK for more than 13 years.

Bristol Housing Project Manager, Robin Spencer, said: "The young people will be placed with host families and an arrangement made for a 'Signpost' volunteer to meet with them the following day.

"The volunteer will accompany the young person to interviews, linking them with local agencies and, we hope, sometimes negotiating a return to families and friends."

Host families will need to provide food and shelter for up to three night offering a private bedroom and access to washing facilities.

Each Nightstopper will be matched with an appropriate host, as far as this is possible, using a database of individual circumstances. They will also be assessed to ensure they are suitable for a Nightstopper placement.

All hosts will be assessed including police checks and references. They will receive appropriate training, if required, and ongoing support. The charity aims to keep the scheme relatively small, with an emphasis on personal contact.

Anyone interested in becoming a 'host' or a 'Signpost' volunteer should contact Cat Summers on 0117 935 4600. She is particularly keen to meet volunteers with first hand experience of homelessness.