Short Stop emergency accommodation project

Why Short Stop is Needed

Many refugees and asylum seekers will experience homelessness at some point during their asylum claim and the Short Stop scheme aims to support people in this situation. Short Stop volunteer hosts provide a hot meal and a bed for the night to people who have nowhere else to turn.

Can You Help?

"We had our first referral last week - he was the most lovely man! We're really pleased we did it now and I know every case is different but he was such a joy. He ended up staying for a few days and we were both gutted when he left!" Rachel

If you have a spare bedroom, some free time in the evening and could occasionally offer someone a place to stay, please consider becoming a Short Stop host and download an application form. Or if you are interested in becoming a coordinator for Short Stop, please complete the Volunteer Coordinator application form and send to Katrina or ring 0113 373 1759.

For a revealing insight into the project please read our 'A Day in the life of Short Stop', written by a referrer, guest, host and a coordinator for Short Stop.

For further information about Short Stop download our 2011 review

A Little Kindness Makes All the Difference

In January, Senco a Ugandan man was destitute with nowhere to stay and no money. He had slept on the streets and had managed to secure a couple of night's accommodation at the Crypt homeless shelter. He saw a worker from the Health Access Team who referred him to Short Stop.

Senco first stayed with a family where he was made to feel so welcome it made him cry. He had not had this experience of kindness before. It was a relief to be out of the cold and have something to eat. He stayed with Short Stop for around two weeks with various hosts until he found a place with a social housing provider.

Senco says that he is now very settled and can see an end to his desperate situation. Now that he is safe and secure he is able to see how depressed he was and says that without Short Stop he would have contemplated suicide.

How to Make a Referral to Short Stop

We only accept referrals from the Refugee Council, York Street Health Practice, PAFRAS and St Georges Crypt. However, we welcome enquiries from other organisations agencies who would like to become a referral agency.