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Thousands of people experience homelessness every year. They will sleep on the street, on friend's sofas, in empty rooms in squats, or roam between temporary accommodations. Analysis of official homelessness figures suggests that 1 in every 160 people in England are now homeless. To show that we want to make a difference to the lives of thousands of people experiencing homelessness in England, St Mary's CEP School and Holy Trinity Primary School will be working in partnership to support the Church Urban Fund by taking part in a sleepout or sleep-in challenge.

Church Urban Fund works with local partners across England to provide personal support to people facing homelessness. Their initiatives provide one-to-one care and skills training for people that need to live independently. Social action in the community is at the heart of everything they do. They equip local partners, churches, and volunteers to help people facing homelessness develop the skills needed to support themselves – now and in the future. They do this through homelessness projects like Wayfinder, Positive Pathways and by supporting the Places of Welcome network. More information about this Church Urban Fund initiative can be found here: https://cuf.org.uk/what-we-do/homelessness

Each school will hold a separate event for our respective Year 5 and Year 6 children. This event forms part of our charitable work that we do and teaches our children about 'being agents of change' and links with our Christian values of Service, Compassion, Hope and Thankfulness (and fair degree of Endurance by sleeping on the floor).

Each participant (children and staff) will give up a night of comfort, with only a PE mat or sleeping mat and their own sleeping bag/duvet and pillow. We are also encouraging each participant/ household to seek sponsorship from family members, friends and neighbours, with a target for each child to raise at least £50, but this is not a requirement for signing up.

Together, we can help people who are homeless to turn their lives around.

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Thank you for your support!