Embarrassed, degraded and always on high alert.
That's how a Newcastle teen described his experience of sleeping on the streets after becoming homeless following the death of his baby sister. Daniel*, 17, said he found himself sleeping on the streets of Newcastle city centre after relationships broke down at home when his sister passed away in 2016.
When he could no longer afford to stay in hotels, Daniel soon found himself sleeping in bus shelters where he knew there was CCTV. But he was met with the constant embarrassment that he could be spotted by someone from college or work.
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Daniel said: "There was a couple of nights, where I couldn't afford a hotel for myself and I ended up staying in a late night café as long as it was open. After that I did end up sleeping in a bus station.
"I was looking for places that were still lively. Obviously on a weekend and in Newcastle city centre, the bus stop wasn't filled with the best people. But it was the only place that had cameras and there was a few people around.
"I had to be on high alert. I felt backed in a corner, that I had no other choice."
He added: "From someone looking from the outside, I just looked degraded and I was quite embarrassed. People I work with, people I study with, they all live in that city. I really didn't want to be seen by anyone."
Daniel said that after being kicked out of his home a number of times he discovered Nightstop, a service ran by Depaul UK which provides emergency accommodation for young people.
Last year, Depaul UK worked with more than 2,000 young people, supporting them to find accommodation, stability and employment opportunities across the North East, London, Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire.
Daniel stayed in Nightstop for a couple of weeks until social services helped to find him something longer-term. And now he is perusing his dream to become an actor.
Daniel said: "I stayed in Nightstop for a couple of weeks until social services found me supported living. I've been there for nearly two months now. Now I'm studying performing arts and work in a restaurant.
"I've always been interested in acting since I was young. It started as a hobby and a way to make friends when I moved up North. Without sounding a bit dramatic, it did sort of become a way to become a different person and forget about things. That's why I sort of fell in love with it.
"I've always had a dream of going to RADA, a really prestigious acting school in London. But they only take 28 students a year. In a year's time hopefully, I'll be auditioning."
He added: "I have a lot to thank Nightstop for, even though I was very sceptical about it at first. I didn't really know what to expect. Then I was very shocked when I did stay in the first one.
"It was a bit awkward because 16-year-old lad, staying with absolute strangers. What do you say? What are they going to think of you? Are they comfortable with you being there? Am I comfortable being there?
"But as it went on and I went back to the same volunteers, it did end up being quite reassuring and the best of what that period could have been while things were being sorted out.
"If I hadn't gone through Nightstop, I don't think I would have got the help I needed from social services."
Depaul UK has now launched an urgent appeal for 'Nightstop' volunteers to help young people, like Daniel, at risk of being pushed onto the streets this winter. Many young people are facing a bleak winter as rising costs place greater pressure on household budgets and could potentially push them onto the streets this winter according to the youth homelessness charity.
The charity says that the combined impact of increased debt, spiralling bills and the low incomes that young people are often on can lead to conflict which exacerbates family and relationship breakdowns. This increases the risks to young people vulnerable to homelessness and can put their lives in danger.
Depaul UK has launched an urgent appeal to highlight the dangers that young people face on the streets and its Nightstop service, which offers a lifeline to thousands of young people at risk. Communities and charities run the service in more than 30 locations around the UK, and last year, it provided more than 6,000 safe nights of accommodation for young people in crisis.
Daniel said: "My first stay was with a young couple. The lady was a doctor and the man was a teacher, so I kind of realized they just want to help people and that helped me settle in a bit.
"They were really helpful. Even after coming back from work, the woman was up and checking my bus route to get to college that night and in the morning.
"All the families were really accommodating. I wouldn't say I'm too much of a fussy eater but I don't eat fish and they were all really accommodating to things like that. I think I have stayed with four different families in total
"It's quite a scary thought for me to think what I would have done without Nightstop. I don't think it would have ended well. So I am grateful."
He added: "Every volunteer, is just a family that is just wanted to be the best and they've seen how things can go wrong and want to prevent that, for anyone. You're not in a helpless scenario, like a hostel, it's a loving family that just wants to help someone."
Nicola Harwood, executive director of Services from Depaul UK said: "We know that rough sleeping is dangerous and one single night on the streets can impact a young person for life. On the streets, young people are often threatened, insulted, punched and kicked.
"They fall prey to those who seek to exploit them, and their mental and physical health goes downhill fast. We know that this winter, young people face unprecedented pressures and are braced to support those who have run out of options.
"Nightstop provides emergency accommodation and offers a lifeline to many young homeless people in crisis. We help those sleeping on the streets tonight, and who can’t turn to their families, a safe and warm place to stay. It’s vital that they know that they’re not alone and that they have their whole lives ahead of them.”
For more information about youth homelessness or to support Depaul UK's 'One night can change a life' appeal please visit this link.
*The name has been changed to protect the identity of the teen involved and photos of an actor have been used.
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