Homelessness in the UK

Wanting a place to call home is a natural desire and a basic human right. However, the number of people affected by homelessness each year in England and Wales is considerable, and in Chelmsford it is growing – most significantly amongst young people.

https://www.ymca.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/YMCA-Sleep-Easy-2022-Briefing-Note-Paper.pdf

About YMCA Essex

YMCA Essex is an inclusive charity rooted in local communities and working to build the lives, hopes and futures of disadvantaged children and young people. We influence the lives of thousands of young people every year through a diverse range of programmes and services focused on their individual needs, including community youth groups; family support/schools/education welfare work; childcare services focused on funded spaces; and – in Colchester only currently – housing work, where we have supported accommodation for 44 homeless young people aged 16-25. Funds raised through Sleep Easy will support all of our valuable work.

'TH’, service user/resident at YMCA Essex: Colchester

"Thank you for being the people who helped us realise that not everyone is awful. Thank you for making us feel safe and wanted when it felt as though life was always going to be scary. Thanks for giving us comfort, even when sometimes we thought we didn’t need it. Thanks for supporting the people we used to be, the people we are now, and the people we want to be. Thanks for teaching us the lessons we never learnt as kids. Thanks for always being patient when we sometimes can’t even be patient with ourselves. We don’t come from the best places but having you as role models we are going to the best futures. I wish I could give you more and make up for everyone who may take you for granted. You are loved so much by us. You are all incredible and deserve incredible things."

About Sleep Easy 2024

Sleep Easy is a one-night rough sleeping experience for YMCA Essex on Friday 8 March 2024, where you set up to sleep for the night with just a sleeping bag and a cardboard box shelter.

You can take part either as part of our sponsored sleep-out event at our secure central Chelmsford location, or remotely from home - anywhere but your own bed! - either by yourself or joining with friends, family or colleagues.

By participating, you will be supporting our work at YMCA Essex with some of the area's most vulnerable people, helping them to realise their potential and supporting them on their journey from homelessness to independence.

There is no minimum amount to raise, but every pound can help young people in crisis to thrive.

The on-site experience kindly hosted at the secure Guy Harlings Gardens, Chelmsford Cathedral includes supper and breakfast (places limited). Participants must be 18+ at the on-site experience.

From home, all the family can take part.

Participants register here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sleep-easy-ymca-essex-registration-793065649707?aff=oddtdtcreator