Last night John attended the AGM for Bradford Nightstop – as well as the AGM it was the 30th AGM – begun in a garage in 1993. In October two new films about Nightstop and the young homeless people it supports were premiered at Pictureville cinema. The support provided for thousands of young people was acknowledged – provided by home hosts in their own homes and in the shelter – backed up by volunteers telephone contact people and a small staff team – led by Joy Rainbow.
The Good News was that our work has brought in a grant of £40,000 over two years from the Garfield Weston Foundation – following a visit from the Deputy Director of the Foundation. She was met by trustees and staff – and most importantly by one of the young people who has been supported by Nightstop. This young man was at the AGM and gave an inspiring and emotional account of living in a forest before he was referred to Bradford Nightstop – when he was able to turn his life around. he now lives in supported housing and is studying at college.
The sadness referred to in the title of the post was about the fact that this significant issue of homelessness has not been solved over the last 30 years. Will it be over the next 30?
The links for one of the films are: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjxOhi6EDNw and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aT-g1QwHEQ