Hi {FIRST NAME},

Welcome to the first Big Sleepout countdown mailer!

Whether this is your first time taking part in the Big Sleepout, or you’re back for another year, we’re excited to celebrate the event’s 35th year with you.

Over the next 8 weeks, we’ll be sending you handy updates, tips and encouragement to help you prepare for the challenge ahead. It’s not just about sleeping under the stars – it’s about providing a safe place for a young person experiencing homelessness.

Every penny you raise helps St Basils support young people across the West Midlands with a safe place to stay and the support they need to build a brighter future.

 

A quick reminder of what we do…

St Basils works with young people aged 16–25 across the West Mids who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. We provide safe and secure accommodation, support their mental and physical wellbeing and help them access education, training and employment so they can move towards a brighter future.

Homelessness can feel like a world away, but it can happen to anyone. At St Basils, we often use something called The Table Analogy. It’s a really simple, powerful way of showing how a young person’s support system – their home, their family, their work/education and their health – can start to collapse without warning.

We’d love you to take a couple of minutes to watch this short video.

🎥 Watch: The Table Analogy

You may never face the kind of challenges described here – but by taking part in the Big Sleepout, you’re showing your support to those who do. 

 

St Basil’s Top Tip

Each week, we will share a top tip which will help boost your fundraising efforts. 

This week, we’re asking you to take the first steps in setting up your fundraising page! Simply upload a profile photo, personalise your bio, and share your page with your friends and family on social media.

Then when you’re ready, go ahead and share your page with your friends and family on social media, or drop an email to your colleagues at work. 

 

Thank you again for sleeping rough so that a young person doesn’t have to.

As always, if you have any questions or need help, you can reach us at fundraising@stbasils.org.uk

Team St Basils

 

{VIEW PAGE}

 

Ps, Follow us on socials! Facebook I Instagram I LinkedIn 

• On your Enthuse page
• On social media alongside your fundraising link
• By replying to this email – we can feature you on our social media, and could even get you on the news! Check out Jess’s story in the Birmingham Mail. 

Hi {FIRST NAME},

Welcome back to the Big Sleepout Countdown!

Can you believe there are just over 5 weeks to go until the big day?! Today, we will be going over refreshments on the night, what can be brought along, and another tip on how to boost your fundraising. 

 

Food and Drink

If you have taken part in the Big Sleepout before, you will know about our friends at Langar Aid, a fellow local charity determined to feed the hungry. They generously provide our participants with delicious Indian food for free. Expect a warming vegan meal of curry, rice and samosas. If you have a dietary requirement besides being vegan, we unfortunately cannot guarantee that it will be suitable for those with allergies and intolerances, so we advise to bring your own food for the evening. A huge thank you to our friends at Langar Aid. 

In addition to Langar Aid, there will also be an indoor space where participants can come to get complimentary hot and cold drinks throughout the night.

What about breakfast? The cafe at Millennium Point will open from 5am just for Sleepouters. Breakfasts such as bacon/ sausage sandwiches can be purchased at an additional cost, with vegetarian and Vegan options also available. 

Sleeping out is hungry work, so do bring your own snacks and drinks. Please note, alcohol is strictly prohibited at this event. Any alcohol on site will be confiscated during bag inspections. 

 

St Basils Top Tip

Fundraising pages that are shared on social media raise 440% more than pages that aren’t shared* (*JustGiving, 2024). This week, we are asking you to make a post on social media asking for donations. Feel free to use the below text and social tiles for your post or create your own!

“I’m taking part in the Big Sleepout for St Basils on Friday 28th November, sleeping outside for a night in Birmingham City Centre so a young person won’t have to.  I’m taking part in hopes of raising £224+, which will house a young person at risk of rough sleeping for 2 whole weeks. If you are able, please donate to my page and show your support. Every donation made helps to change a young person’s life. Thank you.”

You can view the social tiles here.

 

Hi {FIRST NAME},

Welcome back to the Big Sleepout Countdown!

Not long to go now – just over a month left until the Big Sleepout 2025! In this week’s mailer, we are going to take a look at why we do what we do, why your fundraising matters, and another top tip about company match funding. 

 

The Statistics

• 4,118 young people received advice and support.
• 1,685 young people were supported by us during the year.
• 1,053 young people lived in our 40+ accommodation schemes.
• Up to 582 young people lived with us at any one time.
• 91% of young people moved on from St Basils in a planned, positive way.

None of this would be possible without people like you, who come to our events and fundraise to make a difference. 

 

St Basils Top Tip

Want to make your fundraising go even further? Ask your Manager or HR department if your company offers match funding (when your employer matches the amount you raise for charity). It’s a fantastic way of doubling your total without doubling the effort! 

• Warm clothing

  With the weather cooling down, we recommend wearing plenty of layers, warm socks, thermals, hats, gloves, and anything else that will keep you warm through the night. We tend to find that multiple thinner layers work better than one thick one. 

• Blankets, sleeping bags

  Upon arrival, you will be given a cardboard box and some plastic sheeting. We highly recommend that you also bring a sleeping bag and/or blankets with you to keep warm in your shelter. You may also want to bring a pillow and a sleeping mat to provide a little more comfort throughout the night.
• Decorations
  Don’t forget about the Creative Cardboard Competition! Feel free to bring whatever decorations you like to adorn your shelter, the bolder the better! 

 

• Food and Snacks
  As mentioned in a previous mailer, hot food and drinks will be provided, however we highly recommend bringing your own snacks and drinks for the rest of the night. Please remember that alcohol is strictly prohibited. 

Hi {FIRST NAME},

Welcome back to the Big Sleepout Countdown!

Just 2 weeks to go now – we hope you are getting as excited as we are! This week’s mailer will be all about getting those last preparations in place to ensure you are as ready as possible for the big night. 

 

Creative Cardboard Competition

The Creative Cardboard Competition is your opportunity to let your imagination (and craft skills) run wild. 

Past standouts of the competition have included the Mystery Machine, the Polar Express, Castles and so much more! From local architects to school children, many have made their mark in winning the grand prize. 

If you are struggling to think of how to decorate your shelter, check out this email’s banner – it has examples of some of our favourite dwellings over the past few years. 

 

St Basils’ Top Tip

Planning your journey to and from Millennium Point is an important part of preparing for the Sleepout. 

Millennium Point car park is available for those who are driving in. The carpark closes at midnight, opens back up at 6am and costs £8.80 for 12 hours. Other parking options in the city can be found online. 

Another option is public transport. If you travel by train, Millenium Point is within walking distance of Moor Street Station, New Street Station and Snow Hill Station. By bus, the venue is easily accessed by most main routes to the city, followed by a short walk. Both bus and train journeys can be found using the West Midlands Travel Journey Planner.

If you are taking part as a school group and intend to arrive by minibus, please get in touch with us about arranging drop-off or parking. 

 

Hi {FIRST NAME},

Welcome to the final week of our Big Sleepout Countdown!

A couple of weeks ago, we reported that only 33% of people were fundraising for this event. This is now 40%, which, with one week left to go, is a fantastic improvement! Thank you to those who have shared their fundraising page so far.

For those who have yet to start fundraising, now is the time! We rely on your donations to continue the vital work we do within the West Midlands, so please share your page, and get in touch if you need any fundraising support. 

See below our most recent St Basil’s success stats and resources to help you in this final stage. 

At St Basils, in 2024/2025:

• 4,118 young people received advice and support.
• Up to 582 young people live with us at any one time.
• 91% of young people moved on from St Basils in a planned, positive way – it works! 

None of this would have been possible without people like you, who take part in our events and fundraise. We want to thank you again for joining us. 

 

St Basil’s Top Tip

This week, make a post on your socials using the text and social tile below. Don’t forget to send direct messages to your family, friends and colleagues for an even bigger impact! 

“One week to go until the Big Sleepout 2025! Sleeping outside for a night in Birmingham City Centre won’t be easy, but I’m doing it so a young person won’t have to. I’m taking part in hopes of raising £224+, which could take 14 rough sleepers off the street for a night. If you are able, please donate to my page and show your support – every donation means a lot to me! Thank you.”

You can view the social tile​​​​​​​​ here.​​​​​​​​

Hello {FIRST NAME}

 

With the Sleepout right around the corner, we wanted to remind you of the security protocols in the terms and conditions that will be in place for this event. 

 

Check In

Check In for the Big Sleepout runs from 6pm to 10pm. Anyone who arrives after this time will be turned away, unless late entry has been pre-arranged, including those who have already checked in and are re-entering after leaving the site.

When checking in, anyone who has not yet signed the terms and conditions will be asked to read and sign a copy. Please be aware that EVERYONE must have their bags searched upon arrival by security staff, in accordance with Martyn’s Law. Anyone who refuses a bag search will be denied entry to the event. 

 

Smoking and Alcohol

We would like to remind all participants that this is an aclohol free event. Any alcohol that is brought on site will be confiscated by Security or St Basils staff, and can be collected when leaving the event. 

This is also a non-smoking event. If you wish to smoke during the night, please go to the designated smoking area, which will be pointed out on the day.