This year’s Big Sleep Out is back at the Reading Abbey Ruins! And we would love you, and your friends, family and colleagues, to mark World Homeless Day and support Launchpad by taking on the challenge of swapping a comfortable bed for a sleeping bag for the night at this historic location.
As the cost of living rises over the coming months, we know our vital services will be a lifeline to many local people in need. Our drop-in service is already seeing an increase of individuals, couples and families facing spiralling rent arrears or eviction because they simply can’t make ends meet.
By joining #TeamLaunchpad and taking part in the Big Sleep Out at Reading Abbey Ruins, you will help raise £40,000 to fund our vital work and ensure local people avoid homelessness. By sleeping out, you can ensure others in Reading don’t have to.
What does the Big Sleep Out involve?
6.30pm: St Laurence’s Church, Friar St, Reading RG1 1DA
10pm: Reading Abbey Ruins, Abbey St, Reading RG1 3BA
5.30 – 7am: Rise and shine!
We will welcome you at St Laurence’s Church at 6.30pm, where you’ll receive your event pack (a Launchpad tote bag, a Launchpad beanie and a programme for the event!) and enjoy a packed evening of entertainment, hosted by Launchpad patrons Matt Allwright and Danyl Johnson! This will include live music, a prize raffle and a hot meal – and you’ll also hear from our staff and clients. Then, at 10pm, we all head over to the Reading Abbey Ruins and bed down for the night.
While the Big Sleep Out doesn’t aim to replicate homelessness, by sleeping out you will get an insight into some of the things people experience when they’re rough sleeping night after-night – such as cold temperatures, an uncomfortable bed and limited sleep.
At 5:30am, you’ll wake to a free bacon or vegan sandwich and a hot drink, and then head home at 7am – perhaps appreciating your home more than ever, and knowing you’ve done something truly amazing for local people in need.
Can under-18s take part?
Please note – for insurance purposes, this event is only for those aged 18+ this year. If you have children and would like to take part as a family, we would love you to consider doing the Big Sleep Out at home, in your garden. Please contact us for more information by emailing fundraising@launchpadreading.org.uk or calling 0118 950 7656.
Who will the Big Sleep Out support?
By taking part in the Big Sleep Out and raising money for Launchpad, you will be helping us provide urgent support for the increasing number of local people who are at risk of losing their home.
Our drop-in service provides free support and information for absolutely anyone with a housing or homelessness issue. Some are on the brink of homelessness because they have been struggling to make ends meet with the rising cost of living or are fleeing domestic violence. Other people’s tenancies are at risk because they’ve battled serious mental health issues or addiction.
With your help, we can continue our vital work with vulnerable individuals, couples and families in Reading and ensure they remain housed.
How can your fundraising help?
£10 could help pay for urgent support at our free drop-in service so an individual in housing crisis can get the help they desperately need
£50 can help pay for one hour of legal advice for a couple who have been threatened with eviction
£140 can help fund four therapy sessions for a client whose poor mental health has left them with spiralling debt and at risk of homelessness
£254 can help fund the costs of moving a family experiencing poverty into more affordable accommodation
What is the registration fee and how much do I need to fundraise?
Registration for the Big Sleep Out is £20 per person* and we’re asking each participant to raise a minimum of £250 so we can reach our £40,000 target.
*This covers your event pack and helps us cover the cost of putting on the event.
Support and more information
We’ve put together a Big Sleep Out guide – so you have everything you need to start fundraising and then sleep out at the Reading Abbey Ruins on Saturday 8 October 2022 – from what to bring and how to safe safe, to tips on setting up your JustGiving page and spreading the word about your challenge. You’ll also receive lots of support and resources from Launchpad’s fundraising team once you’ve signed up.
