A VITAL service that helps young homeless people in Droitwich Spa has reached a milestone.

South Worcestershire Nightstop, operated by Festival Housing, has just provided its 400th night of emergency accommodation since launching in 2009.

Nightstop co-ordinator Cath Woolford explained that without the scheme many young people in the area would be sleeping on the streets.

“We have built up a network of volunteer host families who offer crucial help for young people in crisis. This important milestone shows what a vital service we are providing,” she said.

Nightstop is a national initiative funded by the Big Lottery, with the south Worcestershire service helping people aged 16-25 in Wychavon, Malvern Hills, and Worcester city.

She said that South Worcestershire Nightstop has recently been developed to include longer placements of up to eight weeks and a new mediation service to help young people rebuild relationships with their parent or carer.

“Recent training has also brought seven new host families on board and we’re pleased to say that more than half of the 63 young people helped have moved on to supported accommodation at housing schemes,” she added.