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Join the Big Basingstoke Sleep Out
Local homelessness charity Julian House is bringing the Big Basingstoke Sleep Out back to May’s Bounty Sports Ground on Friday 24th March 2023. Families, friends and colleagues are being challenged to sleep outside for just one night, swapping soft beds for sleeping bags and cardboard mats.
Event Organiser Gavin Osborn said “The Big Sleep Out has been one of our most successful events in Bath for many years and we are delighted to bring it back to Basingstoke. As those who came along last year will agree, it’s a great way for the community to come together as well as a chance to reflect on the challenges rough sleepers face every single day”.
Julian House has an outreach team on the streets of Basingstoke and Dean 7-days a week, ensuring anyone who has been forced to sleep rough, or is leading a street-based lifestyle, understands the options available to them.
The organisers are keen to emphasise that the event does not attempt to replicate homelessness: “After all” continues Gavin, “participants can go home in the morning, have a warm shower, put on dry and clean clothes, even go back to bed and catch up on sleep. Those sleeping rough often have no idea when they will next get a warm, dry bed. Our event is about raising awareness and much needed funds to help homeless and vulnerable people.
Last year Julian House provided life-changing support to over 1,800 vulnerable individuals who were experiencing, or at risk of homelessness across Basingstoke, Bath, Bristol and the South-West. It’s a grim realisation, that without support, the life expectancy of a long-term homeless person is just 44 years. By taking on the Sleep Out challenge in March, participants can help to change that.
Julian House is encouraging people of all ages; families, friends and work colleagues, to sign up early and start their fundraising. It’s free to register and guarantees to be an experience you will never forget.
If you’d like to take part with a team or by yourself, go to the website https://www.julianhouse.org.uk/support-us/events/big-basingstoke-sleep-out/
Julian House is a charity that supports vulnerable people across the South-West facing homelessness, escaping domestic abuse, recovering from addiction and more.
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