Sleep Out is back for 2023!

Our flagship Sleep Out fundraising campaign is back for 2023 and we are now calling on local people and businesses to take part! 

As in previous years, The Benjamin Foundation will be hosting two ‘Sleep Out’ events; the Norfolk Sleep Out will be held at the Cloisters in Norwich Cathedral on Friday 6^th October and the Suffolk Sleep Out will be help at Ipswich Town Football Club on Friday 13^th October.

Sleep Out challenges people to get sponsored to spend one night sleeping outside and has raised over £300,000 to support our work since its inception in 2015.

This year we hosted launch events, which were attended by local dignitaries, businesses and previous supporters, including The Lord Mayor of Norfolk, James Wright and CEO of EveryYouth, Nick Connolly, all showing out to celebrate the start of our 2023 Sleep Out campaign.

With an estimated 129,000 young people facing homelessness in the UK last year (source: Centrepoint), and 3-4,000 here in Norfolk and Suffolk, we help local young people who may be at risk of homelessness into successful, independent living by providing a safe home and support to around 250 young people each night. We also help them learn essential life skills, such as cooking and budgeting, as well as supporting their education and career aspirations while building their resilience and self-esteem, eventually helping young people to move on to independent living and manage their own tenancies. This vital work gives young people stability, new opportunities and prevents the street homelessness problem from growing.

Speaking on the launch events, Matt Garrod, The Benjamin Foundation Director of Operations for Housing and Homelessness explains:

“We were delighted so many people across different organisations and businesses were able to join us for both our Norfolk and Suffolk 2023 Sleep Out Launch events. Interest in the launch events and the pending Sleep Outs themselves in October shows the deep concern our community has for young people who have experienced homelessness and a willingness to work collaboratively with The Benjamin Foundation to combat this issue”.

The events this year are sponsored by Birketts LLP, who supported the campaign for many years, with numerous members of staff having undertaken the challenge previously. Jonathan Agar, the Chief Executive at Birketts, had the following to say:

“Birketts is delighted to be sponsoring this year’s 2023 Sleep Out campaign. As long-time supporters of The Benjamin Foundation, we know just how important the charity is in tackling youth homelessness and helping young people who need it into safe homes. We are looking forward to this year’s events in October, joining many others in spending the night outside to raise much needed funds for our local community.”

The Benjamin Foundation are pleased to have partnered with both the Norfolk and Suffolk Chambers of Commerce for their respective events this year. Yvonne Hargreaves, Head of Marketing and Communications at the Suffolk Chambers of Commerce, said that “we are delighted to partner with The Benjamin Foundation for their 2023 Sleep Out Campaign. Supporting the vital work to help spread the word and raise funds to end homelessness for young people.”

Nova Fairbank, CEO of the Norfolk Chambers of Commerce, spoke at the Norfolk Sleep Out launch event and had the following to say on why they are partnering with us for our campaign this year:

“Norfolk Chambers of Commerce are delighted to be supporting the Benjamin Foundation for their 2023 Norfolk Sleep Out Campaign. We’re looking forward to sharing the latest updates with the business community and seeing them get involved with the campaign too. An event like Norfolk Sleep Out is vital to raise awareness of the challenges of youth homelessness and some of the Chamber team joining in the Sleep Out too. We are proud to collaborate with The Benjamin Foundation on their journey.”

Manager of our Linden House service, Ray Cook, has been involved in many of our Sleep Out events over the years and knows first-hand how important the funds that are raised through these events are for the charity:

“Sleep Out gives a tiny insight into the reality of young people having to sleep outside when they are homeless and without support or a safety net. Alongside raising awareness about this vital issue, the funds raised help us to provide them with the accommodation and help they need to get back on track, enjoy a better life off the streets and achieve their life goals.”

We are proud to be the Eastern region partner of the EveryYouth (formally End Youth Homelessness) partnership. Each of the EveryYouth member charities around the UK organise Sleep Out events each Autumn to help support young people to lead successful, independent lives.

Bookings for our Sleep Out events are now OPEN. Book your place today:

SUFFOLK SLEEP OUT, Friday 13^th October: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/suffolk-sleep-out-2023-tickets-615746754117?aff=ebdssbdestsearch   

Sleep Out is open to those aged 18 or over. For more information please contact The Benjamin Foundation on 01603 615670 or email [email protected]