Sleep Easy 2025
YMCA Sutton Coldfield Sleep Easy is back for 2025. Could you challenge yourself to sleep out for one night so that others don’t have to? Sleep Easy 2025 will be hosted at the Gracechurch Shopping Centre on Friday 4th April 2025.
How do I book to take part?
Book your tickets via the “Buy a Ticket” link and then select the “Set up a Fundraising page” link and you’re all set!
What is Sleep Easy?
Sleep Easy is a fundraising initiative raising money to help change the lives of people at risk of facing homelessness and/or poverty locally. Scores of brave participants will be swapping their warm beds for sleeping bags, braving low temperatures and hunkering down beneath the stars for one night.
We ask people to take on this tough challenge with a mission to raise awareness of those facing homelessness and raise vital funds to help our YMCA continue to support those most in need.
How Does Sleep Easy Help:
Each night we provide housing for 39 young people, all of whom temporarily find themselves without a place to live. Alongside this we provide a whole host of services for individuals in our community including support for young carers, youth work programmes and services for children and adults with disabilities.
Funds raised from Sleep Easy enable our teams to continue providing vital support to our young people, individuals and communities most in need including; support towards independent living, resident engagement, mentoring, counselling, daily activities including sports, arts and crafts, wellbeing, volunteer opportunities and work placement programmes all with the aim of supporting those we serve to move forward with their lives and to belong, contribute and thrive.
If you would like more information about how you can support Sleep Easy 2025 or to discuss box sponsorship options please contact Rachel Dutta Choudhury:
Sleep Easy FAQ
What should I bring to the event?
► A sleeping bag is essential, but you can bring a camping mat, extra blankets and/or a pillow too for extra comfort and warmth if you like
► Warm clothes, hat and gloves to protect you from the cold during the night; having layers of clothing will help you stay warm, and you can always take some layers off
► A torch (remember to check your batteries)
► A flask with a hot drink, water and snacks – there will be refreshments in the evening and morning but we recommend bringing some of your own too
What will be provided at the event?
► Refreshments, including a light supper and breakfast, water and hot drinks will be provided in the evening and morning
► Toilets are available on-site
► First Aiders will be available throughout the event
► Cardboard boxes will be provided, which you can use in the set-up of your sleeping spot for the night
When should I arrive and when will I need to leave?
Please arrive for registration at 7.30pm on Friday 4th April. There will be a wake-up call between 6am and 6.30am on Saturday 5th April, with everyone leaving Gracechurch Shopping Centre no later than 7.30am.
Can I bring alcohol to the event?
This is a family-friendly event, so no alcohol will be permitted at the event.
Can I bring my pet to the event?
No animals will be permitted at the event except for Assistance Dogs. If you will be accompanied by an Assistance Dog, please notify the YMCA team at: admin@ymcasc.org.uk
Will the venue be secure?
The Gracechurch Centre will be providing additional security for this event, with a dedicated Security Officer. Gates will be closed at 9.30pm, with access controlled by the Security Officer.
How can I engage on social media throughout the evening?
Please share your experiences throughout the night using #YMCASleepEasy and tag @YMCASuttonColdfield and @YMCAEnglandandWales @Gracechurch
What should I do if I see someone who is homeless?
If you are concerned about the health of a person experiencing homelessness, or if they look unwell, dial 999 for the emergency services. Your intervention could save someone’s life.
Contact StreetLink, the homelessness referral service for England and Wales.
StreetLink can connect people experiencing homelessness with local outreach teams or other support in their local area. The service accepts calls from the public and self-referrals from those in need.
Call: 0300 500 0914
Visit their website: streetlink.org.uk
Meet Sadiq
Sadiq was 19 years old when he moved into a room at YMCA Sutton Coldfield in 2022. He needed somewhere to live and study after he fell out with his dad. He found out about the supported housing we offer when he met Charlotte, a Lead Worker for the Young Carers service, at a drop-in session she held at his school 6th form. Sadiq is a hardworking, intelligent young man, and just wanted a safe place to live in and concentrate on his studies.
I moved into the YMCA at Sutton Coldfield on the 11th of February 2022. For the very first time I found myself living alone in a totally new environment. I didn’t know what to expect at first but after spending about a year and a half there, I can say it was a great experience for me.
Sadiq was 19 years old when he moved into a room at YMCA Sutton Coldfield in 2022. He needed somewhere to live and study after he fell out with his dad. He found out about the supported housing we offer when he met Charlotte, a Lead Worker for the Young Carers service, at a drop-in session she held at his school 6th form. Sadiq is a hardworking, intelligent young man, and just wanted a safe place to live in and concentrate on his studies.
Sadiq wanted to work while living at the YMCA. We supported Sadiq to claim Universal Credit and the Housing Benefit element and supported him to report a change of circumstances once he found a new job. Sadiq attended residents’ social evenings interacting with Housing Support staff and other residents.
Sadiq developed his independent living skills to a point enabling him to move into student accommodation at his university where he’s studying Architectural Technology.
The accommodation was perfect, I had help from the staff all the time and... organised activities to help us socialise more and just have fun. Overall, I would say I had the greatest... time living at the YMCA.
