Backyard Sleep Out to End Youth Homelessness

PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT DATE HAS NOW PASSED

Could you sleep outside for one night in November so young people across Northern Ireland don’t have to?

We challenge you to Sleep Out in your back garden or shared outdoor space with your friends and/or family to help end youth homelessness. You can take part as an individual, a family or a group. Just pick a date between 16th and 22nd November and register via Eventbrite to get your fundraising pack.

The Sleep Out takes place each year in partnership with End Youth Homelessness, a movement which brings charities together to tackle the UK-wide issue of youth homelessness.

During our first Sleep Out in 2018 we had 107 people take part raising a whopping £28,900. In 2019, we repeated that success with 108 people giving up their warm beds for the night to raise £28,000.

Every penny of this fundraising goes directly to providing frontline support services for young people across Northern Ireland, taking us closer to our ultimate goal of ending youth homelessness.

MACS already tackle youth homelessness locally by providing support to over over 200 vulnerable young adults across Northern Ireland. We offer young people stability and a safe foundation to build on their education, training and careers. Our dedicated staff help young people develop life skills so they can leave MACS Housing, Floating Support and other support services to forge an independent life. With the right opportunities and support, homeless young people can turn their lives around and build successful futures.

Your support at this years Backyard Sleep Out will help make a difference to young people in your community. You can help vulnerable young adults by sleeping out and raising sponsorship money.

How will the Backyard Sleep Out work?

As this years event is taking place in a variety of private spaces we are working hard behind the scenes to bring Sleep Out participants an exciting program of events and entertainment. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic we will be delivering this fabulous package digitally.

This Signup fee will include a joining pack with games and activities to do during your sleep out and night of online streaming entertainment for everyone to enjoy on the 20th November from 6.30 – 10pm to mark the end of the MACS Sleep Out week 16th – 20th November 2020.

There will be story telling, music, kids yoga and a virtual tour of Streamvale Open Farm and a speed quiz with raffle prizes to be won.

We know that sleeping out for one night could never give us the full experience of being homeless so are aim is to raise awareness, to start conversations and to inspire us all to think about the hardships our homeless young people experience. Please do this in whatever way you feel is right for you!

Ideas for your sleep out night;

Sleep outside with no cover to shelter you
Sleep in the living room
Talk to your children about homelessness

We would love to hear what you are going to do to raise awareness and funds for your sleep out night!

We recognise that no Sleep Out event is the same as the real hardship faced by young people experiencing homelessness but it does give those participating the opportunity to see for themselves what it might feel like to be homeless. Most importantly, the Backyard Sleep Out will give us all the opportunity to build awareness of the issue of homelessness in our region, whilst raising much-needed funds.

In today’s climate of funding cuts, the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic and political uncertainty, fundraising has become more important than ever if we are to continue the work we do.

How to register

Please register on our Eventbrite page. Once you have filled in the required fields and paid your registration fee you are registered for the Backyard Sleep Out. You will receive further information on the event via email after registration is complete.

The easiest way to fundraise is by setting up a Virgin Money Giving page, where our charity is registered. Details of how to set up a fundraising page will be emailed to you after registration. If you would prefer to receive a printed sponsorship form please email events@macsni.org

FAQs

Who can take part?

Due to this happening in your own back garden/shared space we encourage people of all ages to take part. You can take part as an individual or part of a group. If you have any medical conditions that may affect your ability to take part in this challenging event, please consult with your GP.

What should I bring with me to Sleep Out?

A sleeping bag, a pillow and a roll out mat to lie on. Please dress warm. We advise you double up on socks and gloves. November is c-c-c-c-old! Our advice is to have a proper meal before venturing outside and some drinks and snacks to keep you going!