Picture of participants cheering before the dip

Dare to Dip! A cold water challenge

Every 4 minutes a young person faces homelessness. Will you join us and show them they aren’t alone? Fundraising Target: £100 Date: Anytime in March

Sign up today

If you believe that no young person should go through the fear and insecurity of homelessness, then get ready to take the plunge and pledge your support with a cold water dip.

By taking to the water for up to 4 minutes, you'll be highlighting the reality faced by young people in the UK. Come together and help raise funds for safe housing, one-to-one support and more.

We ask that our Centrepoint dippers aim to raise £100 each so that we can have a real impact on young people's lives. £100 could fund 5 counselling sessions for a vulnerable young person, ensuring those experiencing a mental health crisis receive the life-changing support they need.

To help you get there, we'll have some resources and exciting incentives for you once you sign up.

Host a Cold Water Dip

Participant in the water holding up 4 fingers

Organise a cold water dip

Are you a member of a local club or community group? Could you rally family, friends and colleagues to take part?

By organising a Dare to Dip, you could help young people to reclaim their dreams and have a future beyond homelessness.

Your event can take place wherever and whenever you like, and anyone who is over the age of 18 and in good health can take part.

Sign up today and we’ll send you a complete digital toolkit which covers everything you need to know about holding an event, from safety advice to fundraising tips. And our dedicated team will be on hand to answer any questions you have as you plan your event.

After each dip of 4 minutes or less, participants will need to wrap up warm, ideally with a hot drink and a biscuit. Having a shoreline team of cheerleaders ready with towels and flasks is a great way to involve spectators, too!

Organise a dip
Participants swimming in water with thumbs up

How to get started

Organising your dip is easier than you think. Here's what you'll need to do:

  • Find your venue – Choose a safe outdoor swimming location like a lido, lake, or beach
  • Pick your date – Any time until April, whenever works for your group
  • Plan for safety – We'll send you a full risk assessment template and safety guidance
  • Spread the word – Share on your social media and through your networks to sign people up
  • Sign up participants – Keep track of who is taking part and encourage them to fundraise and share on social media
Organise a dip
Participant in the water

Health and Safety Guidance and Terms and Conditions

Cold Water Challenges can be exciting and a lot of fun when done safely. For your safety, you must read our important safety guidance before taking on your challenge.

Read Terms and Conditions
A young person stands smiling with hope in the street

The difference you could make

Centrepoint is the UK’s leading youth homelessness charity, supporting over 15,000 young people every year. By organising an event and fundraising for Centrepoint, you’ll be helping young people gain the skills they need to overcome past trauma and reach their full potential.

Money raised will help to fund things like:

- Safe housing
- One-to-one support
- Access to counselling, education, training and employment opportunities
- A national helpline for those in crisis
- Outreach work
- Campaigns that address the root causes of youth homelessness.

With your support, we can end youth homelessness.

Sign up today

Questions?

Who can take part?

  • Anyone over 18 can take part, as long as they are in good mental and physical health. Those with heart conditions, circulatory or respiratory conditions (including asthma), a history of fainting, seizures or cold shock, are pregnant, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs should not take part. We’ll send you a full guidance document which contains more information.

How does this help young people facing homelessness?

  • Every dip shows support for young people and highlights the challenges faced by a young person. We suggest asking participants to pay a registration fee to cover your costs and fundraise for Centrepoint.

What will participants need?

  • Warm layers for after their dip. Loose, easy-to-put-on clothes work best, including a warm jumper or coat, hat and thick socks.
  • A towel and something dry to stand on.
  • A warm, non-alcoholic drink, such as a flask of tea, coffee or hot chocolate.
  • Appropriate footwear such as water shoes, old trainers or sandals for getting in and out safely.
  • A bright swim hat (recommended for open water).

For more information, please visit our Fundraising FAQs page or get in touch at events@centrepoint.org

Can't host your own? There are other ways to take part

You don't need to organise an event to make a difference:

  • Do your own dip – Take a 4-minute cold water dip and fundraise on your own (remember: never dip alone - always have someone watching for safety)
  • Sponsor a participant – Support a friend, family member or colleague who's taking the plunge
  • Spread the word – Share the campaign on social media to raise awareness of youth homelessness