Tenth anniversary for YMCA East Surrey Sleep Easy event
The event challenges those taking part to sleep rough for a night so that others do not have to
Councillor Rich Michalowski takes part in Sleep Easy 2021 in his garden at home
Submitted for publication in the Surrey Mirror
A charity event which raises funds to support local young people who have experienced homelessness celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.
YMCA East Surrey’s annual Sleep Easy event challenges those taking part to sleep rough for just one night so that others do not have to, the event will be held on Friday March 11 at Reigate Town Hall and is open to all.
The Covid-19 pandemic has sadly added to the challenges of those without secure housing, and statistics show that homelessness cases are on the increase.
Many young people are experiencing issues such as domestic abuse, leaving care, family breakdown or mental health issues. As a result, they become homeless because it’s safer to leave home than stay and they simply have nowhere to go.
Lee Fabry, YMCA East Surrey’s head of housing, said: “The young people who come to us have a high need for housing support.
"We address many mental health issues, helping them to explore their feelings and different ways of coping, discuss positive and negative friendships, and provide one-to-one and group sessions that make a real difference to a young person who doesn’t have support from other adults in their life.”
In 2021, 8303 hours of support were provided by the YMCA housing team to residents.
All funds raised from the YMCA Sleep Easy event will go towards the charity’s Employment Support Fund, which provides financial support to help young residents access employment, education or training. Anyone aged 16 or over can join YMCA East Surrey to sleep out overnight on Friday, March 11, braving the elements with a fantastic group of like-minded people.
Families with children under 16, community groups or schools might prefer to ask friends for sponsorship to give up their bed for one night and swap it for a sofa or floor to support young people who do not have a secure place to sleep.
Companies or individuals can also ‘Sponsor a Box’ for £100. The box will be used by one of the Sleep Easy participants on the night.
Lee Fabry said: “If you can’t participate in person, please consider making a donation. Hearing some of the stories of the young people who access our housing service can be truly heart-breaking. They just want to feel safe and build a life for themselves - shouldn’t every human have that opportunity?”
More information about the YMCA Sleep Easy event, how to enter or how to donate, can be found at www.ymcaeastsurrey.org.uk.
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