Special Performance Promises Surprises For City Centre shoppers

SHOPPERS in Exeter city centre this December will be treated to a one-off musical and theatrical spectacular – all to raise awareness of youth homelessness.

Exeter-based charity Community Housing Aid is raising the profile of youth homelessness this Christmas through its project, Nightstop Devon, and in partnership with Widsith & Deor Storytelling Theatre and Urban Flow Street Dance.

People will be invited to take a break from their Christmas shopping and join the team from Nightstop Devon in Princesshay Square (near to Debenhams) on Saturday, December 9 from 2pm until 3.30pm to enjoy an adaptation of Peter Pan by Widsith & Deor Storytelling Theatre. The performance will featuring Midge Mullin, from Substance & Shadow Theatre, and Kimwei McCarthy, singer and percussive guitarist, along with a special surprise from Urban Flow Street Dance.  There will also be a stall providing more information about Nightstop Devon and its work in reducing and preventing youth homelessness.
 
Shane and Matthew from Widsith & Deor said: ‘We’ve chosen Peter Pan because it’s the classic story of lost children seeking family in order to help them grow up and find themselves – with Christmas magic and mayhem along the way!’

Nightstop Devon arranges same day emergency accommodation for homeless 16-25 year olds in the houses of trained and DBS-checked volunteers, across Exeter, Teignbridge, East Devon, Mid Devon, North Devon.

Young People’s Coordinator, Laura Champion, said: ‘This is going to be a fantastic event, a great afternoon for all the family, as well as raising awareness of scale and impact of youth homelessness across Devon.’

Director of Community Housing Aid, Stuart Hooper, said; ‘Youth homelessness is a huge, often hidden, issue across Devon – hidden because young people will often sofa-surf or remain in unsafe environments to avoid rough sleeping.  By providing safe emergency accommodation and a meal in a family home, Nightstop Devon gives vulnerable young people a breathing space in which to get their lives back on track.  Join us on December 9 to say no to youth homelessness.’

Please come and support Nightstop Devon on December 9 at Princesshay 2pm – 3.30pm.  Follow this event using #streetsnomore.  You can also follow us online on Facebook www.facebook.com/nightstopdevon and on twitter @nightstopdevon.

For more information about the event, please contact Laura Champion on 01392 274853, laura.champion@communityha.org.uk.