When a young person experiencing homelessness walks through the doors at Stopover, they don’t just need a bed – they may need a chance to start over.
Stopover, operated by Four Square, is a safe and supportive place to stay for young people aged 16 to 25 experiencing homelessness.
This story includes a real person whom we have named K.
Having experienced foster care and multiple moves during his childhood, K initially found it difficult to settle. When he first tried living on his own at a young age, the lack of consistent support made it impossible to sustain.
He arrived at Stopover understandably nervous, hesitant to trust, and unsure that we could help.
The Power of Consistent Support
Fast forward four years, and the change in K is remarkable.
It didn’t happen overnight; it happened through consistent, trauma-informed support. By establishing a daily routine and connecting with mental and physical health resources, K has gained a new sense of direction.
Accessing college courses and training had once felt out of reach, but with his new confidence in his own abilities, K has started building a future. He is now preparing to move on to his own tenancy and feels better equipped for the life he deserves.
Learning the Basics (and the Big Stuff)
One of our residents, aged 23, described their experience:
“I thought I knew everything… but I didn’t know how to do my washing, didn’t know how to cook, didn’t know how to do anything really.”
“I’ve learned to be more confident and actually be able to look after myself.”
“The staff really helped with my mental health. They were almost like family members looking after me”.
Tackling Social Isolation
Social isolation is one of the biggest hurdles our young people face in moving forward. That’s why Stopover also aims to create opportunities for connection and a break from everyday pressures.
Many of the young people we support are incredibly creative and have input into organising these outings. Whether it’s a first-time trip to the ice rink at Murrayfield, a bowling night in Fountainbridge, or working together on a Stopover cookbook, these moments are crucial for building community.
As 19-year-old Resident C puts it:
“It helps me come out of my shell a bit, and it’s helped me make friends.”
And we were heartened to hear Resident B, age 22, tell us:
“It felt nice, almost like a big family gathering.”
Donate to help young people build a secure future
No one should be left to fall through the cracks in the housing crisis. We provide more than a roof; we are here for the long term.
You can help too. A small donation today helps us reach more people tomorrow.
