Keith’s experience: Sleep Out 2025

Keith took part in the Manchester Sleep Out 2025, the first event back in Manchester after a five-year break. It was the first time he’s ever done anything like this, and he signed up to take on the challenge solo. He tells us about his first Sleep Out for youth homelessness and what he learned from the experience.

How did you get involved in Centrepoint’s Sleep Out?

I had a friend who did it 6-7 years ago roughly and he talked about how it was a good experience and it's just been one of those things that made me think, “I'll do that one day”.

For my job I do a lot of delivering of construction materials. I do a lot of city centre deliveries and a lot of it does go into Manchester City Centre as well. So, I see it. I see it all the time. Men, women and teenagers sleeping rough or walking around and they clearly have nowhere to go.

What was the experience like on the night?

It actually wasn't too bad. But the venue was colder inside than it was outside - I was absolutely freezing. As soon as I stepped inside, I only got about 10 foot inside, and the cold just hit me like a brick. And it was so damp as well.

How did you find preparing for the night and fundraising?

I was actually quite looking forward to doing Sleep Out. And the closer I got - excitement is probably the wrong word to use – but I was definitely looking forward to doing it.

I was surprised how giving people were financially. When you set the target for me at £250, I was thinking, what if I don't make it?! But then I closed in and ended up finishing on over £1,000!

I absolutely battered Facebook. I posted every Centrepoint email you sent me and then I just made up my own words about what the challenge meant to me, posting around three or four times a day.

Is there anything that you would add to a must-pack list?

You've got to have a good sleeping bag. I just covered up with layers. If you've not got thermals, just put layers on. You've got to be warm because even inside it was bitterly cold.

Overall, what would you say was your biggest take away from Sleep Out?

Definitely the education of what Centrepoint does. And the fact that you actually went to the effort of describing how you spend the money and the work you do.

In one activity, they used volunteers to demonstrate how people come in and out of a guy's life who'd been made homeless. Different social workers and teachers and the likes. It just gives you that perspective of what people go through, not quite in their shoes, but kind of understanding. And I would imagine probably nine times out of ten they're just victims of circumstance. They've not asked to be put there.