Sleep Out: Winter Wrap up

The events

First things first, Sleep Out is not about replicating what it’s like to be homeless, it’s about taking on a personal challenge to help end youth homelessness. By giving up our beds for a night, our supporters are making a powerful statement: youth homelessness is not inevitable, and together, we can change it. 

From the Corporate Sleep Out last November to Manchester and London Sleep Outs earlier this year, we’re part of a collective effort to ensure that every young person has a safe place to call home. And that’s not even counting all the amazing Hold Your Own Sleep Out events that popped up around the country, organised by big groups, small teams, and even a few solo heroes. Every single person who took part, donated, or helped out made it possible for us to raise an incredible £570,000 for Centrepoint. All contributing to our mission to end youth homelessness by 2037. 

So, rewind to last November, where over 220 of our corporate supporters arrived at the Oval Stadium with sleeping bags in hand to show their commitment to Centrepoint’s mission. Then in February this year, 80 members of the local community braved the winter weather at Depot Mayfield, Manchester. Followed by another 70 supporters joining us in Shoreditch, London in March for the finale of our flagship Sleep Out events for this winter. 

Each event started off with an evening of educational activities and talks before everyone settled down for a chilling night on the concrete floor. 

On the night

Participants arrived, some in pairs, work groups, families, or on their own. After dropping off rucksacks and sleeping bags, we kicked off with a welcome speech, followed by activities to give a small insight into the challenges some young people have to face when they come to Centrepoint.

I really enjoyed watching people take part in the Bag tales activity, where everyone was given 15 seconds to pack a bag before leaving home forever. It was so interesting to see participants reflect on what they had packed and how it felt to make those split-second decisions. We even shared with them some first-hand accounts from young people who experienced it themselves to really put it into perspective.

We also had a talk featuring staff from our policy, helpline and service teams, discussing the latest research released by the Centrepoint Databank. Their experience, along with this leading data in the field, painted a picture of the work Centrepoint is doing to stop youth homelessness and how each of us can be part of the solution.  

As the evening wrapped up, whether people arrived in groups or alone, the night fostered new friendships, one group of sleeping bag neighbours even left with plans to meet up again!

The challenge

At 11pm everyone settled down and prepared for a sleepless night. The Depot Warehouse was colder inside than out! And I was blown away by the numbers of brave participants that chose to sleep outside the venue in Shoreditch.

To combat the cold and the sleeplessness, our hot drinks and snack stall was available all night, keeping everyone topped up with hot chocolate and biscuits!

The impact

Together with London, Manchester, and Corporate Sleep Outs alongside the Hold Your Own Sleep Outs that supporters put on across the country, Sleep Out events this winter raised over £570,000. This amazing figure will help Centrepoint provide housing, advice and support to young people facing homelessness. From our free helpline, supported housing, and education bursaries to our financial advice, the fundraising from Sleep Out will touch so many young people’s lives. People like Ben who, with the help of Centrepoint, has not only a place to call home but also hope for the future.

And the impact doesn't stop there... Our Campaigns team joined us at the London Sleep Out with an interactive stall. As part of our No Young Person Left Out campaign, participants wrote and signed post cards to the Mayor of London urging him to ensure councils have the resources needed to support young people facing homelessness and uphold the Homelessness Reduction Act.

Whether people attended to learn, reflect, connect, or give something back, every participant left with a deeper understanding of youth homelessness and a stronger connection to Centrepoint’s mission.

Why not hear directly from our participants? Read all about Keith’s experience at the Manchester Sleep Out and what made him take on this challenge alone. And hear from Vinesh who gathered up his colleagues and brought a team to the London Sleep Out.