Sleepout at home raises over £25,000

On Friday 20 November, our Sleepout at home event took place to raise awareness and vital funds for those facing homelessness this winter. Participants were invited to experience homelessness for one night. The St Albans Sleepout event usually takes place at Oaklands College but this year, the lockdown meant that Sleepers were asked to sleep out at home on cardboard, in a tent, an outside bench or on floors or sofas.  Herts Young Homeless is one of five charities who come together to host the Sleepout.
 

A Zoom event during the evening connected the sleepers together and created a community feel, where videos of support were shared from the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, the Mayor of St Albans and Daisy Cooper, MP. Information about the positive way in which the charities have helped people during this difficult year, a quiz and inspirational live music from local artists Elie Rees, Julian Mount and The Maida Vales completed the line up.
 

In total over 200 people took part and have so far raised over £25,000 to allow Herts Young Homeless to continue to run our vital services supporting young people facing homelessness.
 

‘Still buzzing and feeling elated from being part of such an amazing event. Thank you to the organisers for making it fun but also reminding us of the importance of why we’re doing it’ Maeve Cowley, Sleepout at home participant.
 

‘This has been an extremely difficult year for all of the charities, as their income from community and events fundraising has been severely reduced due to the pandemic, at a time when demand for their services is growing due to the financial and wellbeing pressures on many of their services users. We are extremely grateful that the local community has risen to the challenge and we would like to say a huge thank you to our event sponsor, Morgan Sindall Property Services, the sleepers themselves as well as the family, friends and businesses who have sponsored them’ said Caroline Neill, Fundraising & Communications Manager, Herts Young Homeless

If you have any queries about this year’s event or you would like to arrange your own Sleepout during the year, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.