A COMMUNITY project which supports homeless young people in Halton is celebrating after receiving a £490,000 from the Big Lottery Fund.

Widnes-based Nightstop Communities Northwest has provided a lifeline for Halton’s vulnerable youngsters for 10 years.

The Big Lottery Fund pledged to support a new ‘wrap-around’ programme when it started in 2013 with a £367,000 award as part of its reaching communities project.

Nightstop, a not for profit organisation, has been offering emergency accommodation and mental health support for young people aged 16-25.

Their performance has trebled expectations as they looked after almost 500 homeless youngsters.

Founder and chief executive officer Terri Kearney said: “It has been a huge success. We have surpassed all our targets showing the need for the service.

“We pride ourselves on this individual holistic approach to young people’s needs.

“We offer a friendly, warm environment with a family orientated support system.

“We need to make sure that young people have the best systems in place to offer them the crutch they may need.

“We keep young people safe and off the street whilst supporting them to make sometimes life changing decisions.”

Almost 500 volunteers supported the project last year.

Terri said: “For a small project we do a vast amount. We have delivered a social investment of more than £1.8 million.

“We have more than 50 partner agencies and we play a massive part within the community.

“We have hosts who take young people into their homes. They find it very rewarding.”

Research shows that every homeless person who receives no help costs taxpayers between £3,000 and £18,000 in the first year alone.

Halton young people whose lives have been transformed say Nightstop has given them confidence to combat their difficulties, find a job and live independently.

Terri added: “We are absolutely delighted our young people have endorsed us. We have received excellent feedback from them. They say they love the work we do and are extremely supportive.

“We would like to say a huge thank you to the staff who go above and beyond to support our young people daily and our huge cohort of volunteers.”

Nightstop has also achieved the Investing in Children award, a UK initiative that promotes human rights of children and young people.