Robin Burgess of The Hope Centre looks forward to the annual Sleep Out and why it means so much…
The Northampton Hope Centre has been helping people who are homeless and disadvantaged for 44 years, providing food, clothes, warmth and shelter to people who have nothing, and who are often isolated, lonely and troubled.
We provide much more though, than just services to meet basic needs, valuable as those are. We help people move on and change.
In those years we have seen thousands of people come through our doors with complex needs and challenges and we have helped them move to jobs and accommodation, with support for their problems of drink, drugs and mental health.
About a third of the people we see are sleeping rough tonight .
Most of the rest have been street homeless themselves at one time or other and we continue to help them get back into society once they have found housing – that’s only the start of the journey. We help train people and give them skills and confidence.
Sleeping rough night after night is horrible. Over the one night of January 26th you can experience a little of what it’s like to be a rough sleeper.
For one night only, join us to raise money for Hope’s work, at our flagship fundraising event of the year, the Big Sleepout.
Last year 172 sleepers raised over £60000 for Hope, helping us to keep the day centre open and its vital services.
This year we hope to raise even more, from even more participants. Held at Sixfields, the Home of the Cobblers, the 2018 Sleepout will be the biggest and best yet.
You will get the satisfaction of raising a lot of money for Hope, but also have a lot of fun and make new friends. Building a great shelter is a challenge in itself.
You must be over 16 and if under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
We support all sleepers with food, hot drinks, some cardboard and a lot of enthusiasm!
To register, download the forms from our website at: http://www.northamptonhopecentre.org.uk/events/big-sleepout-26th-january-2018 and email tanya@northamptonhopecentre.org.uk to express interest.
Make a difference. #GiveHope
Last year NQ Editor Steve Scoles took part in the Sleep Out at Abington Park.
He said: “One night outside in the cold is nothing compared to what a homeless person lives through but it’s enough to make you think. You are very well looked after.”
You can read his exploits here.
