On the 20th August Pathways of Chesterfield is hosting a Great Garden Sleepover, giving people the opportunity to sleep out in their back gardens with friends and family, raising awareness of homelessness and also raising valuable funds for the charity.
Participants in this event will gain a unique insight into the conditions that many individuals who are experiencing homelessness face every day. In addition to the unpleasant nature of sleeping in uncomfortable circumstances and often unforgiving weather conditions, rough sleeping is a dangerous, isolating and often traumatic experience. Prolonged periods of rough sleeping can be hugely detrimental to a persons physical and mental wellbeing and can increase their risk of being subjected to violence and developing substance misuse issues. With the ending of the Everybody In campaign through the national lockdowns, the importance of understanding homelessness is growing in significance.