With this in mind, when I heard back in January that our 6th formers were planning to organise a “Sleep Easy” event to raise funds and awareness for the YMCA, I jumped at the chance to take part.
How hard could it be?
One night sleeping outside, provided with cardboard boxes to shelter in and a soup kitchen on site, it sounded as though it could be quite fun. March was ages away and it would be warmer by then!
As the appointed day drew closer and I was still having to scrape the frost from my car most mornings, I started to become a little more apprehensive. The weather app on my phone became my new best friend and I must have checked it at least five times a day during that week.
Thankfully Friday dawned dry and fairly mild. Just before 6pm the 6th formers started to arrive, full of enthusiasm and the bed-building began in earnest with each person allocated two cardboard boxes.
A little later, Mrs Knibbs and her husband opened the eagerly anticipated soup kitchen serving delicious and wholesome jacket potatoes, curry and chilli along with one hot drink each for all of us at a cost of less than Ā£30 in total. As Mrs Knibbs pointed out, she had provided a filling and nutritious meal to over 50 people for less than the cost of a night out clubbing in town. It certainly makes you think.
We were privileged to have a visit from staff and a resident from one of the YMCA hostels in town. The young man explained to us how he had ended up homeless and in the hostel as a result of not being able to live at home any longer. Youth homelessness most commonly occurs when young people can no longer stay in the family home with 62% of young homeless people becoming homeless when relatives and friends are no longer willing or able to accommodate them. Councils are only able to help prevent homelessness in young people in 19% of cases which is why the work of organisations such as the YMCA is so vital today.
As the evening drew in and the temperature began to drop, I decided it was time to settle down inside the sleeping pod I had made with my boxes so that I could try to keep warm. Amazingly, I fell asleep almost immediately.
Unfortunately, my cosy night was to be short lived. At about 2am I woke in extreme discomfort, freezing cold and desperate to go to the toilet, regretting my earlier cup of tea! At St Edmund’s, as in the majority of town centres, the toilets were locked up overnight. This proved to be the most difficult aspect of the night, not only for me but also for some of the girls, one of whom told me “Miss, I’m just not the type of girl who goes to the toilet outside!” For me, this was one of the most important lessons from taking part in the Sleep Easy. Being homeless forces you into situations and behaviours that you would never normally countenance. I heard several students remark that they had gained a huge amount of respect for homeless people and the conditions that they have to survive.
We were lucky, locked safely into the grounds at St Edmund’s surrounded by our friends and colleagues.
It didn’t rain, snow or freeze;
We weren’t frightened or alone;
No-one moved us on;
No-one tried to steal our belongings;
We weren’t attacked or insulted by late night revellers:
Common problems encountered by many homeless people.
I’d like to say a very big thank-you to Mr and Mrs Knibbs who donated both their time and all the food for the soup kitchen, but most importantly to Mr Bentley and Ms Richards for giving up their well-earned, comfortable Friday night to accompany the students. This type of event just can’t go ahead without the goodwill and support of our fantastic staff.
A very big well done also to Dan, our Head Boy, and his team, for all the organising, the liasing with St Peter’s and most importantly for providing the inspiration that encouraged so many to take part. I hope you have all recovered!
Ann Shorthouse
Vice Chair of St Edmund’s Catholic Academy Committee
