Glass Door Homeless Charity is holding both a physical and virtual Sleep Out on 2 October this year to raise vital funds for individuals facing homelessness.
The event is due to take place at the Duke of York Square in Chelsea for the eighth year running, if government guidance allows. Extra safety measures will allow participants to take part in this post-lockdown outdoor event, which raised over £200,000 last year to support people out of homelessness.
Glass Door is also encouraging people to take part remotely in a location of their choosing, whether that be a balcony, a garden or the floor of their living room.
For the first time this year, Glass Door will be bringing all participants together via a live stream of special guests and features throughout the night. The virtual elements will ensure participants can feel connected regardless of where they take part.
Actors Colin Firth and Jim Carter will be reading a poem and a bedtime story, accessible to all participants and supporters as part of the virtual live-streamed event. Plus, sleep specialist Dr Kat Lederle will offer her insights on why a good nights’ rest is so important, and Nadia Mishchanka will host an early-morning yoga session. Additional guests will be announced closer to the date. The line-up will also feature interviews with event participants, shelter guests and front-line staff.
Actor Jim Carter, best known for his role as Mr Carson in Downton Abbey, says he was particularly keen to get involved this year. “I cannot imagine going through this pandemic without a home”, says Carter. “Glass Door has been there for people facing homelessness since the beginning of this crisis. Now they are doing everything in their power to find people permanent homes when lockdown lifts. Please join the Glass Door Sleep Out (or In) on 2 October so that more people experiencing homelessness can find a route off the streets.”
Glass Door’s Chief Executive Lucy Abraham says the charity is already seeing and supporting people who have lost jobs and income due to COVID-19, “The full impact of the pandemic has yet to be felt. It is more important than ever that we come together as a community right now to support others out of homelessness,” says Abraham. “We rely on the funds raised from this event to provide shelter and support to people who desperately need it. Last year we supported over 1,000 people affected by homelessness in our communities, and we are bracing ourselves for even more people needing our support this winter.”
Anyone interested in getting involved should sign up now but can wait until closer to the date before deciding where to take part.
“The important thing is to make the commitment now”, says Lucy Abraham. “Even in the face of so much uncertainty, we do have the power to make change.”
