The annual event, taking place on Thursday November 10, sees participants ‘sleep rough’ underneath the canopy of the Link Building between Eden’s Biomes, using only cardboard boxes and their own sleeping bags for warmth and comfort.
The Sleep Out raises funds and awareness for homelessness charities St Petrocs and the Amber Foundation at a time when they are seeing a rapid rise in the number of referrals.
Registration is still open to take part in this year’s Sleep Out at Eden. Those interested in participating can find more details and sign up at www.edenproject.com.
Returning on the night will be acclaimed Cornwall-based singer-songwriter Suzie Mac. Suzie, who is a great supporter of Sleep Out events at Eden, has been a prominent artist on BBC Introducing and has graced the stages at festivals including Glastonbury and Beautiful Days.
Also performing will be choir group Carclaze Voices. Set up in 2012 at Carclaze Primary School, and initially made up of staff and families connected with the school, Carlaze Voices have grown to include the wider community. They sing a varied repertoire from The Beatles and The Beach Boys up to the present day.
Participants will also be able to listen to inspiring stories from both charities and partake in cooking workshops. Breakfast and unlimited teas and coffees will also be available.
The evening will also see the official launch of the outdoor exhibition for The People. Project Cornwall. The project is a collaboration between St Petrocs and the people of Cornwall brought to life by the portraits of social documentary photographer Gavan Goulder and by community arts organisation StreetDraw24.
The project’s aim is to remind the world that whatever an individual’s circumstances we are all people and all people deserve homes. In doing so it hopes to confront the stigma around homelessness and people struggling with housing, and the shame this can lead to.
Dan James, Eden’s Development Director, said: “We’re delighted to have such a vast array of entertainment on offer for those braving a night out in the cold for this year’s Sleep Out.
“We are incredibly proud of how this annual event raises vital funds and awareness for the issue of homelessness at a time when it is so needed. Registration is still open for this year’s event, so join us on November 10 for what we are sure, as always, will be a powerful evening to remember.”
The Amber Foundation runs four supported housing centres for young people (aged 16-30) affected by homelessness, unemployment and mental ill health. Their South West centre, Ashley Court near Crediton in Devon, provides a temporary but safe and supportive home for young people from across the region.
All the young people who come to Amber receive fully tailored support and follow a development programme to help them move on to a job, a place in education or training and most importantly a safe, secure home of their own. https://amberweb.org/
St Petrocs are working to end homelessness in Cornwall because every person has a right to a safe and secure home. St Petrocs is a charity providing a range of services with the aim of ending homelessness for good. These include advice, support and medical services at resource centres and around the county with an outreach team, supported accommodation and a skills, training and employment programme. www.stpetrocs.org.uk
