On Friday 20th August 2021 were asking our supporters and their friends and family to join the team in the Great Garden SleepOver.

Following on from the success of last years Great Garden SleepOut we thought we'd take advantage of our ability to invite our friends and family over for a sleepover this year! The event is open to all, not just people from Chesterfield. At our last fundraising event we had participants join us from all around the country but also internationally from New Zealand, America and Dubai!

If you dont have a garden, dont worry. You could maybe make your bed on a balcony or even sleep in a sleeping bag, on the floor, in your living room. Wed love to hear your plans for joining us so we can share your ideas with others.

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. In light of this, we envisage that the SleepOver will provide a powerful platform to foster increased awareness of the challenges that are faced by homeless individuals and families, every day.

In addition to raising awareness, the Great Garden SleepOver provides a brilliant opportunity to raise funds to support the work of Pathways. We are fortunate to be able to provide housing and tenancy support, specialist mental health nursing, outreach services, emergency food and clothing provisions and groups for support, advice and companionship. In 2020-21 we worked with 541 different people who were either homeless, at risk of losing their tenancy or newly placed in accommodation and needing support, 243 of whom we were able to support into accommodation. However, we rely heavily on the contributions of regular supporters and one-off donations in order to continue this vital work.

Throughout the pandemic, Pathways of Chesterfield has continued to support the homeless community in Chesterfield, North East Derbyshire and Bolsover through outreach and phone support. We have also recently been able to start running some small activity groups again.

Sign up by setting up your Just Giving fundraising page.

All donations, minus just giving fees, will go directly to funding the day to day work of the charity.

We hope youll enjoy the Great Garden SleepOver and we look forward to seeing you all on the 20th August but dont worry if you cant join us on that date, you could host your sleepover the week before or after!