Gloucestershire Nightstop has announced the appointment of Patricia Le Rolland as the new chair of the board for the 20-year-old youth homelessness charity. Pat joins Nightstop whilst serving as Chair of Age UK Gloucestershire.

Pat brings a wealth of governance experience with a focus on health, regulation, and higher education. As a self-employed consultant, Pat has served as a Special Advisor to the Postgraduate Board at the General Medical Council, and chair of the Healthcare Science Registration Committee and Regulation Board at the Academy for Healthcare Science, bringing wider knowledge to the Nightstop Board.

Pat starts at an important stage in Gloucestershire Nightstop's development, as the charity continues to strengthen its range of services, meet young people where they are and lead a county-wide research project that aims to build long-lasting partnerships that have the potential to end homelessness for 16- to 25-year-olds for good.

Gloucestershire Nightstop thanks Jess Roberts for her commitment and dedication as interim chair in recent months.

Patricia Le Rolland, chair of the board, said: "The current economic climate and housing crisis makes the work of Gloucestershire Nightstop even more challenging, but also more important and rewarding when we get it right. This is a challenge I'm looking forward to stepping up to, helping guide the organisation as it continues to adapt to a rapidly evolving environment."

Elaine Pearson-Scott, the executive director, said: "Pat is a valuable addition to our team, bringing experience and passion that reinforces our Board and strengthens our ability to take a holistic view of youth homelessness.

"Our solutions don't just benefit young people; they benefit the wider community and the economy too. Through prevention, early intervention, and recovery, we reduce the risks of embedded, long-term homelessness, which is a far more complex, damaging and expensive problem to solve.

"Times are challenging and, as a small community-focused charity, we're able to be agile and responsive to changing needs. Our approach and vision are centred around a wide view of the factors that contribute to youth homelessness, with the long-term success of our young people at the forefront of everything we do.

"We aim to provide a strong foundation on which young people can build stable and successful lives. We're looking forward to starting this new chapter in our journey as we head towards our 21st birthday."

Gloucestershire Nightstop welcomes further applications to its board, particularly those with backgrounds in finance and equality, diversity and inclusion.