Hi gals and guys,

I am taking part in Hackney Night Shelters 'Sponsored Sleepout' on Oct 20th 2023, in the churchyard at St John of Jerusalem E9. This is a charity that i have previously volunteered with but with growing numbers of homelessness, i feel i need to be doing more. The work of this charity touched me. The guests were looked after, mostly happy to be placed safe with HNS and in some cases, did not want to leave. I currently know of 3 personal friends/family whom are deemed HOMELESS.

Hackney Night Shelter has been providing emergency shelter and routes out of homelessness for over 25 years. The number of homeless people has risen dramatically in recent years and continues to rise. Last year outreach teams across London met over 10,000 homeless people sleeping rough. Over 28% of these were considered to have no support needs – i.e. no issues with drugs, alcohol or mental health. Hackney Night Shelter currently provides 26 bed spaces per night and in the past six months have helped over 30 people to move into their own accommodation. HNS receive more and more referrals for people like this. In the past HNS had a clear pathway: help them - find a job, save some money and move into private rented accommodation. Now however, with the catastrophic rise in rents here in London, this is becoming increasingly difficult. Even when guests have enough money for a deposit HNS need to make sure that the rent is sustainable for their level of income. As we go into the Autumn HNS are particularly concerned how they will go on with this and need to keep guests moving on so that we can offer places to other people who urgently need somewhere safe to stay.

I kindly asking for your support, to help raise funds through sponsorship towards the costs of helping homeless people in Hackney?

Please note that this is a fundraising initiative and in no way seeks to replicate the actual discomfort and anxiety which homeless people experience when they really do have to sleep out.

Thank you for taking the time to read and if you have donated a 1000 thank yous.

Peace and Love always,

Laura x