YMCA DownsLink Group: Transforming Young Lives
Bedtime stories from Gruffalo author, music from young musicians & an event that makes a difference. Get involved.
Would you like to take part in a fun event, which will connect you to other people, make a difference to local young people, whilst still maintaining social distancing?
Then YMCA DownsLink Group’s Sleep Easy is for you, your family and/or bubble! In fact you can literally take part anywhere.
To raise the issues around youth homelessness, which is often about ‘sofa surfing’ rather than rough sleeping, the charity is asking you to fundraise by sleeping, ‘anywhere but your bed’ on Friday 9th October.
As part of the evening, there will be a ‘live’ online event, with a range of entertainment, from bedtime stories with Gruffalo author, Julia Donaldson and the legendary children’s presenter, Floella Benjamin, to fire dancing and singing with Elvis!
Visit https://www.ymcadlg.org/get-involved/fundraise/sleep-easy/ to sign up.
Nikki Mason, YMCA DownsLink Group Director of Communications and Fundraising explains more about how and why to sign up: “Due to coronavirus, we had to postpone our mass participation Sleep Out event – so we have given it a stylish makeover to ensure it’s an accessible, inclusive and safe event that anyone can take part in. Instead of meeting up, the new challenge on 9th October, is to spend the night sleeping somewhere other than your bed, with your ‘bubble’ or on your own. Just grab a sleeping bag and sleep anywhere you like, your garden, build a den in the hall, lounge or any other safe space. The money raised will help fund our services which tackle the root causes of youth homelessness, including our vital family mediation service.”
The charity saw an increase of 61% in young people needing housing advice during lockdown, due mainly to family breakdown. Throughout the year, YMCA DownsLink Group provides safe, stable housing to over 750 young people in need throughout Sussex and Surrey, however the charity’s first priority is to keep young people in the family home, where possible, through mediation services. Money raised by Sleep Easy will help fund this service.
To find out more or sign up visit Sleep Easy (https://www.ymcadlg.org/get-involved/fundraise/sleep-easy/) To donate click here (https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/YMCADLGSleepEasy)