Bath charity Julian House has announced that their biggest annual fundraising event, the Big Bath Sleep-Out will become an at home event this year due to COVID-19.
Photo courtesy of Julian House
The charity is now calling on families and households across Bath and the surrounding area to join in and sleep-out for one night in their garden on Friday 5th March to help raise vital funds and awareness for men and women forced to sleep out every night.
The event, now in its 12th year, is usually held at Alice Park, but has had to change and adapt due to the national lockdown announcement and rising COVID cases.
However, the At Home Sleep-Out carries the same important message.
The national lockdown evokes further feelings of isolation and desolation for most men and women in Julian House’s services.
On top of this, the plunging winter temperatures have now become a threat to their lives.
By choosing to sleep out on Friday 5th March and raising vital funds, families, friends and colleagues can help provide the life-saving services and support men and women experiencing homelessness so desperately need right now.
Last year, the charity provided life-changing support to over 1,400 vulnerable individuals who were suffering from, or at risk of, homelessness across Bath, Bristol and the South West.
Without support like Julian House, the life expectancy of a long-term homeless person is just 44 years.
Event organiser, Jessica Gay, said: “The fact that the Sleep-Out is at home this year, provides a greater stark contrast to the dangers men and women living on the streets must face – especially during this on-going pandemic.
“People taking part in the Big Bath Sleep-Out: At Home may be cold and a little wet. However, the next morning people can go indoors, have a warm bath, a cooked breakfast, chat to family and friends about their experience or just catch up on lost sleep.
“The big difference for people who are forced to sleep rough is that they don’t have that option.
“This year, the Sleep-Out maybe a little different. But while we can’t be together in person, we can virtually. That’s why we will be hosting an optional series of live streamed events on the night so we can be together and share our own ‘sleep-out’ experience with each other.”
Households without access to a garden are encouraged to join by sleeping out on a secure balcony or on their living room, porch, kitchen or bathroom floor.
Jessica added: “Or think out of the box and sleep in your bath! Anywhere a little unexpected and a little uncomfortable works.”
To find out more about the Big Bath Sleep-Out: At Home, and to sign up, visit: http://www.bigbathsleepout.co.uk/.
