‘Sleep Easy’ Knowing You Are Helping To Keep Local Young People Off The Streets

Published on: 3 Feb, 2020
Updated on: 3 Feb, 2020

SleepEasy is YMCA Guildford’s biggest fundraising event of the year.

This year organisers are challenging people to brave a night outside to raise money for this local youth charity which works throughout the year to tackle the root causes of youth homelessness alongside a range of other projects.

The YMCA is challenging people to brave a night outside to raise money to help tackle the root causes of youth homelessness.

YMCA Guildford aims to raise £20,000 and is encouraging people of all ages and from all walks of life to sign up to its event on Friday, March 20.

Across the UK, recent research estimates that more than 103,000 young people are homeless or at risk of homelessness. These figures only include young people who have asked their local council for help, so the true figure is likely to be much higher.

YMCA Guildford says one of the main reasons for youth homelessness is family breakdown; a young person being told to leave the family home, or leaving because it isn’t safe to stay.

The frightening reality for many young people is suddenly having nowhere to call home; favours from extended family or friends run out and they can quickly find themselves on the streets.

Effective early intervention for young people at risk of homelessness is essential.

YMCA Guildford runs a range of integrated services to help prevent young people becoming homeless in the first place.

This includes bespoke housing support through one to one key work, YMCA Dialogue counselling services, YMCA Positive Placements mentoring programme through volunteer community members and casework with young people at risk of sexual exploitation (YMCA WiSE).

Its services enable all young people to gain the skills they need to thrive and live independently.

Guildford has an increasing number of unaccompanied asylum seekers who are particularly at risk of homelessness. YMCA Guildford’s work to help and support these vulnerable young people has achieved national recognition.

The More Than a Room programme is offered to all young residents which gives them access to a host of services, from access to college, training and employment, to wellbeing and personal safety support.

They can develop the skills they need to move on successfully and to be able to belong, contribute and thrive in their community.

In 2019, across the wider YMCA Downslink Group, more than 70% of the young people living in supported accommodation moved on positively to independent living.

Projects like these and many others are reliant on funding from the local community. Although it is a tough challenge, Sleep Easy is also a great community event to be part of.

The SpeepEasy sleep out doesn’t seek to replicate the experience of homelessness but gives an insight into the challenges young people face.

Those looking to host their own event on a date of their choice are also welcome, with downloadable tools available on the website (ymcadlg.org).

To find out more, or sign up, visit Sleep Easy at https://www.ymcadlg.org/get-involved/fundraise/sleep-easy/.

To donate, click here https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/YMCADLGSleepEasy.