CloseYour chance to to help the homeless and young people in our Diocese.
In 2019 we hosted this event at Walsingham House at Abbotswick, having 200 young people, leaders and catechists sleeping out in the garden to better understand how it feels for those sleeping rough throughout the Diocese, as well as raising thousands of pounds to help local homeless charities.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Please join us in whatever way is possible on 26th March 2021 with just a sleeping bag and mat or cardboard boxes to sleep on or under.
No tents allowed, whatever the weather!
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With the current restrictions it may not be possible to do this together in groups, so we are encouraging as many people as possible to still take part in their own gardens.
Despite these restrictions, we have some ideas of how you can still feel connected to others whilst taking part;
- Get members of your household or bubble to join you!
- See if your neighbours would like to join in from their own gardens!
- Organise a group to take part and keep in touch with a group chat or video call throughout the evening to support each other!
- Have a time for group prayer or reflection together virtually.
- Arrange to watch the same film – “A Streetcat named Bob” is available on Netflix and tells the true story of James Bowen, a musician living homeless in London.
- Follow @brentwoodcys on social media for live updates from other groups and individuals taking part. Fr Dominic will also celebrate Mass for all those taking part at 11pm.
Please be sure that however you are planning to participate you are following current government guidelines at all times.
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Whether you are a catechist, chaplain, Parish Priest, individual or family, please do let us know if and how you are taking part by emailing [email protected] or filling in the contact form at the bottom of this page, so we can help support you!
DOES IT COST TO JOIN IN?
This event is free to participate but please try to raise some sponsorship – anything from £10 to £1000!
Why not set yourself a target of £100?
HOW DOES THE SPONSORSHIP WORK?
There is a sponsorship form which can be downloaded from this link;
Sponsored Sleepout Sponsorship Form
We can also email it to you directly (please email gabriellafusi@dioceseofbrentwood to request this!)
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Donations can also be made online here , selecting “Sponsored Sleepout 2021” on the dropdown list and putting the name of the person or group being sponsored into the reference box.
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You could ask people to sponsor you one whole amount or per hour you sleep outside.
If you are participating with a school, parish or friendship group, you could raise sponsorship together or you might prefer to do this individually (maybe see who can raise the most!)
The beneficiaries are registered charities so you may find companies willing to match fund sponsorship – please ask them.
WHERE WILL THE MONEY BE SPENT?
Any monies raised from this event will go towards supporting the homeless charities on the Caritas Brentwood website ( 50%), especially helping homeless people to have food and shelter in the coldest months of the year and young people in our Diocese ( 50%), especially helping young people in financial need to attend pilgrimages and events.
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Please see the Caritas Brentwood website by clicking here for more information on homeless charities within our diocese:
CAN I FIND OUT MORE?
If you have any questions about this event you are always welcome to email [email protected] or use the contact form on this website.
There are also photos and videos saved under the “Sleepout” highlight on our instagram page – @brentwoodcys
Contact
As per many things at the moment, the possibility of when we will be able to gather together is unknown, but that won’t stop us!
Start thinking about how you can get involved and at any time during the year,
if you would like to donate, please click here.