Local homelessness charity Evolve Housing + Support is calling on Croydon residents to dust off their sleeping bags, dig out their woolly hats and brave the cold to take part in its annual Sleep Out on Sunday 29 March 2020 at Boxpark Croydon.
Evolve and headline sponsor Croydon BID (Business Improvement District) are seeking volunteers from the public and local businesses to sign up to help raise vital funds for the charity and its services, which help break the cycle of homelessness in Croydon and South London.
Evolve provides housing and support to over 2,000 people in London each year and is the leading provider of homelessness accommodation in Croydon. Evolve’s services help children, young people and adults who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to become independent and resilient. Over three quarters (76%*) of the people living in Evolve’s supported accommodation services move on successfully to secure independent living.
The money raised from the Sleep Out will be used to support Evolve’s life changing programmes, providing work and learning skills as well as counselling and health and wellbeing support.
Matthew Sims, Chief Executive at headline sponsors Croydon BID says:
“Homelessness is an issue we can’t ignore. The local business community, led by Croydon BID and our membership, is committed to making a difference to the lives of those people affected. Last year’s Sleep Out was a superb event and we are proud to be on board again, to play our part in helping Evolve transform the lives of those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Whether you decide to give up your bed for the night or donate to someone who is, you will make a real difference to people affected by homelessness here in Croydon.”
The inaugural Sleep Out event in 2019 raised over £75,000 in total. Local MPs, Sarah Jones and Steve Reed, and Apprentice runner-up and Evolve Ambassador, Bianca Miller-Cole, gave up their beds for the night alongside 165 members of the public in order to raise much-needed funds.
Jeremy Gray, Chief Executive at Evolve says:
“Our work helps over 2,000 people each year across London who are at risk of homelessness. We offer support tailored to meet people’s individual needs, including housing, employment and skills training, and mentoring and counselling. Last year’s event raised an incredible amount and meant we could keep our health and wellbeing programme running for those we support. This year we hope to grow the event further, with even more people taking part, so we can help even more people in need. If you’re passionate about supporting homeless people, please sign up and join us.”
Registration for the Sleep Out are now open. Sign up and Sleep Out here: https://www.evolvehousing.org.uk/campaign/sleep-out/
