Pony found dead in the New Forest - Vizzit New Forest Online Magazine

Community First New Forest    ...building relationships, enabling action! Press Release Record numbers of homeless young people in full time education  Community First New Forest’s Nightstop service has been receiving an all time high run of referrals from New Forest colleges. The misconception of homeless young people being NEETs (Not in Employment, Education or Training) is being challenged with hard facts. National homeless charity 'CentrePoint' has stated that there are 75,000 young people between the ages of 16 and 18 homeless in England and 61% of the 16-17 year olds that are homeless who contacted them want to remain in full-time education.  But what is the situation locally, within the apparent affluence of the New Forest National Park? Jude Todd, Co-ordinator of the charity New Forest Nightstop, the only provider of emergency accommodation for young people in the New Forest, states, “We have many agencies that refer young people to us, including places of education.  However, never before have we seen such a singular and consistent run of referrals originating from the colleges within the New Forest.  In the month of January alone, 7 out of 8 referrals taken were for young people in full time education. Brockenhurst College has seen 23 new homeless students since September and Totton College has had 11 since December. This re-enforces the national figures and emphasises the tragic truth that any young person, from any background and any circumstance can become homeless. Their homelessness is caused by factors that are out of their control such as family breakdown, fleeing violence and abuse and more than ever now the strains in homes resulting from financial pressures. 86% are forced to leave home rather than choosing to. These young people want to work, they want to train and study, they are planning for their futures but out of the blue, hit by a curve ball; homelessness.” In the month of January, Nightstop provided 51 bednights to young people in need. Without this, they would have been sleeping on the streets, unable to maintain their education and study and at high risk of being victims of crime, rape, sickness and abuse. A homeless person is 13 times more likely to be a victim of crime. 1 in 7 are physically or sexually abused and a third will become so low and exhausted that they will attempt suicide.  

Nightstop is the last stop before the streets. There is no other service in the forest, yet being a charity that has run for 8 years and provided over 1500 bednights, with Big Lottery funding running out in 2012, Nightstop needs to secure a future for the service and these vulnerable and unwanted young people. If you can help in any way, whether through funding or fundraising, volunteering to be a host, driver or support volunteer, promoting the service or you have skills and talents you want to invest in their future please contact Jude Todd, Nightstop Co-ordinator, at Community First New Forest on 01425 478391 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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For further information contact:

01425 478391 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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Joss Ridge, Business Support Manager, Community First New Forest on