Members of Hertsmere Youth Council and five young people from the Services for Young People (SfYP) NCS Changemakers Project joined over 100 people in the St Albans Sleepout outside Oaklands College on 11 November.
The event aimed to raise awareness of homelessness, whilst raising vital funds for the homeless charity Herts Young Homeless (HYH). HYH offers advice and support to young people aged 16-24 years who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Hertfordshire.
The young people worked together to create a safe and warm area to sleep using cardboard boxes. Sleeping outside from 9pm until 7am was a chance to experience what life is like for homeless people who have no choice but to sleep rough.
Collectively, the young people raised over £1,100 for Herts Young Homeless through sponsorship.
The youth council members who took part later shared their experiences with the rest of the group and they decided they would raise money for HYH at least once a year in the future.
Feedback from young people that took part:
“It was so great to be able to have the opportunity to be involved… and raise money for other teenagers that will need it...”
“The project and event made me realise how lucky I am to have everything that I do have.”
“Honestly I didn’t expect it to be as good as it was; all the charity people were super friendly and there was a sort of team atmosphere that was really present amongst all the sleepers.”
Please click on the link below for full details of all SfYP youth councils and forums in Hertfordshire and how young people can get involved:
