Harry Lee, 13, one of Nightsafe's Youth Ambassadors, sleeping in his bath tub for the Nightsafe SleepIn
Next month, 5-11 October, marks World Homeless Week. More specifically, Saturday 10 October marks World Homeless Day – a day to show solidarity with homeless people and those who help them.
Nightsafe, a Blackburn-based charity which supports homeless young people across East Lancashire, is inviting people to show they care by sleeping somewhere other than their own bed for the night in exchange for a donation on 30 September.
The monthly Sleep In – which coincides with the charity's 30th anniversary year and takes place on the 30th of each month – has seen people sleep in their bathtubs, under their beds, in dens made from sofa cushions and in a tent in the garden.
Jan Larkin, CEO of Nightsafe, said: "World Homeless Week aims to raise awareness of the issue facing those who have found themselves with nowhere to call home for a wide range of reasons. This could be due to a number of reasons family breakdown, unemployment or so many other issues young people are facing today.
"Tragically, Lancashire has a growing issue when it comes to young people who are homeless. Every day we come across dozens of youngsters aged 16-25 who are sofa surfing at their friends' houses, or even living on the streets.
"When you think about the difficulties we have faced this year and the Government guidance to stay home and save lives – these homeless young people have nowhere to call home. They don't have the option to wash their hands for 20 seconds. They don't have the creature comforts many of us take for granted."
Nightsafe was established 30 years ago this year after identifying a need for support for this vulnerable age group. Sadly, the support we offer – hot meals, washing facilities, halfway housing etc – is more in need now than ever before.
Jan added: "Covid-19 has hit our charity hard. We have £100,000 in funding to find this financial year to ensure we can continue to put a roof over the heads of those most in need, and food in the bellies of those living on the streets."
To find out more visit https://nightsafe.org/events/sleep-in-for-nightsafe/
PHOTO: Harry Lee, 13, one of Nightsafe's Youth Ambassadors, sleeping in his bath tub for the Nightsafe SleepIn.
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