Press Release

7th January 2010

New Year challenge for people across Wiltshire, Hampshire, Dorset, Devon and Bristol.

Fed up with predictable New Year resolutions?  Looking for something different to challenge yourself with?  Well look no further…….

Why not spend a night under the stars and show your support for homeless and vulnerable people.

Homeless charity Alabaré is holding a series of sponsored sleep outs (some indoors some outdoors) across the region on Friday 26th February and they are looking for brave volunteers to take part.

The sleep out events in no way try to recreate the experiences of a rough sleeper, but are a chance to give people a very brief insight into some of the challenges they face.  It is also a chance to raise awareness of the work that Alabaré does.

And with the cold snap upon us and concern over how best to cope with the freezing temperatures, what better time to spare a thought for those who will be facing these harsh weather conditions without the comfort of warm clothes, hot food and drink or shelter.  For many rough sleepers they have no other choice but to brave the elements all year round.  

So far a total of eight events are being held across Wiltshire, Dorset, Devon and Bristol.

Sleep outs are being held in the following places:

Salisbury Cathedral – Salisbury, Wiltshire. The biggest event that will be held

St Thomas Church – Salisbury, Wiltshire. Small scale event held by church members.

All Saints Church – Westbury, Wiltshire.  A group of supervised young people will be camping down in the porch.

Edington Priory Church – Wiltshire.  This is the second time the church will be holding a sleep out, this year it is being organised by the young people that go there.

St Mary’s Church - Devizes, Wiltshire.  In conjunction with Devizes Opendoor.

St Adhelm’s Church – Weymouth, Dorset.  This will be our first event in Dorset

Pip n Jay’s Church – Bristol.  In association with BCAN Homelessness Forum.

Methodist Central Hall - Plymouth, Devon.

Where the money will go:

The money raised through each sleep out will go to the project in that area.

In Wiltshire it will go towards the work of our Wiltshire Drop In Centres in Salisbury and Trowbridge.  The Drop in centres offer a warm and welcoming safe daytime shelter for vulnerable adults who are homeless, facing homelessness or living in unsuitable accommodation. They provide hot meals and drinks, showers, laundry facilities and a clothing exchange service. They also offer support and advice on housing and employment.

A proportion will also go to Devizes Opendoor, the group that has taken over the running of the Devizes Drop In Centre from Alabaré.

In Dorset it will go towards the work of our supported housing project in Weymouth and our tenancy related support service in Bournemouth.

In Bristol it will go towards the work of our projects for vulnerable women and ex-offenders in that area.

In Devon it will go towards the work of our projects there, which include supported housing for men with drug and alcohol dependency issues and Mon Abri, a house specifically for ex-service personnel.

If you would like to find out more about any of the sleep out events mentioned above or would like to take part please contact Alabaré Community Fundraiser Tony Richmond on 01722 344485.

Alternatively, if you would like to arrange a sponsored sleep out of your own for Alabaré please also get in touch with Tony to discuss.