TEENAGE homelessness is increasing in the New Forest and more host families are desperately needed to cope with the demand.

Jude Todd began the charity New Forest Nightstop 12 years ago, and it has since provided emergency accommodation for about 2,000 young people aged between 16 and 24.

But there are currently just 15 volunteers in the New Forest on the books to offer accommodation to young people in need – none in Ringwood.

Sam, 17, from Ringwood, is the latest youngster who has been forced to leave his home and has spent the last few nights sleeping on sofas and out in the forest.

Finally, cold, hungry and frightened on a wet and wintry night, Sam ended up waiting in a car park for Ray and Catriona to take him back to their home to give him food and shelter for a night.

Ray and Catriona started volunteering for New Forest Nightstop five years ago.

They take in young people who have left home after family relationships have broken down, sometimes due to abuse, violence, illness or perhaps a lifestyle parents can’t accept.

Ray said: “The young people we help are not the street-hardened rough sleepers people typically think of in regards to homelessness but everyday teenagers, just like your son or daughter but suffering a crisis, in need of help and protection; often many of them are still at college.”

Catriona said: “Most young people leave home because of tension and problems, and these are exacerbated by the financial stress that many families find themselves currently up against.”

She added: “The young person will mostly stay between one and five nights to get them through the immediate crisis. To us, offering a simple meal makes little difference yet it can really make a huge difference to the young person’s future by saving them from the dangers of homelessness. It’s a stop gap while other help is put in place.”

Nightstop manager Jude Todd said: “We would like to encourage more people to volunteer. The people who do say it is a very positive experience and one that is rewarding.

“Volunteers just need to offer hospitality and a listening ear. All the young people are risk assessed. Ideally, I would like to double our numbers to 30.”

Anyone who can offer a young person somewhere to stay can call Jude on 01425 478391 or email nightstop@cfnf.org.uk.