Sleepout:
another fun way of supporting homeless young people!
 Ever thought about what it must be like to be homeless and on the streets?
Wondering where to sleep, and whether you'll be moved on by the police, have your possessions stolen while you doze... or worse?
Each year Step by Step provides shelter and food for over 350 young people who, for whatever reason, find themselves without a place to sleep. Not only that, we also provide support and training to help them regain their self-esteem and learn skills to help them to re-enter society.
But all this costs money - and that's where you or your group can help us, at the same time as having an unusual but thoroughly enjoyable (and possibly eye-opening) night.
Organise a Sleepout
The principle is easy: just get a group of your friends: from your youth group, Scout or Guide troop, school or college, for example, and agree to sleep outside for just one night, (sleeping bags are allowed!). Then tell all your family and friends, and invite them to sponsor you. You'll have an exciting - and possibly sleepless - night, and wake up understanding more of what it's like to be homeless, and knowing that you've done something to help others for whom, without Step by Step, this would be a regular daily experience.
Take care..
Of course, it isn't quite that easy, and you'll need to be well prepared before you settle down for the night.
You'll need to think about where to hold your sleep-out - somewhere safe, and with access to dry shelter if the heaven's open. If any of you are under 18 you'll need a responsible adult to check out your plans. You'll want to have a first aider nearby, and some hot food and drink to sustain you. And you'll want to make sure you have all the kit you need: warm clothes, sleeping bag, groundsheet, cardboard for a mattress, etc.
Participants should generally be aged 16 or over, although younger people could be involved, depending on the circumstances: they could hold their sleepout indoors or in someone's house with adequate supervision.
We've got a handy information sheet for Sleepout organisers which gives plenty of good advice.
And don't forget, there's no upper age limit for participants in a Sleepout: anyone from 16 up can join in... and that means you, Mum and Dad!
So what are you waiting for? (Apart from some warm, dry weather, that is?) Start talking to your group, decide a date and contact Leanne Grubb (01252 346107) or Annette Althen (07730 315665) to tell them all about it and get more advice.
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Local Scouts enjoying a sleepout |
Read about Farnborough Sixth Form College's Sleepout...
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