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 bring you a bigger and better Sleepout than ever before with our new venue and partners. 

Over the next 8 weeks, our dedicated schools lead, Esther will be on hand to answer any questions and provide support to your group with handy updates, tips and encouragement to help you and your learners prepare for the challenge ahead.

Remember, the Big Sleepout isn’t just about sleeping under the stars – it’s an opportunity for you to make a real impact by standing with us in our mission to end youth homelessness.

 

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.

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, and share it with your students to demonstrate how homelessness can affect anyone.

🎥 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:

• Upload your school logo as a profile picture.

• Personalise your bio. 

• Take a look at how the page works.

 

Here is a helpful video with tips on how to get your page ready to share: PLAY VIDEO

Remember to download our Under 18 Event Pack, which contains all the information you need for the night, including our timeline for the evening, what to bring, tips for fundraising and a sponsorship form for cash donations

 

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 

Hi {FIRST NAME},

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 (and can’t) be brought along, and how to prepare for the Creative Cardboard Competiton…

 

Creative Cardboard Competition

Hi {FIRST NAME},

Big Sleepout 2026 is just over a month away. This week, we’re spotlighting our radio partner—and sharing why St Basils’ work, and your fundraising, matter so much.

Meet our Big Sleepout 2026 radio partner: Sparkflame Radio

Sparkflame Radio will broadcast a live Big Sleepout Show during the evening. Taking part? Send in a song request to hear in the stadium. Friends and family can also send messages of encouragement and support to the participants. Want to get involved? Send your requests here…

 

Why your fundraising matters

St Basils supports young people aged 16–25 in the West Midlands who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Centrepoint research found that

* 123, 934 young people were homeless or at risk in the UK during 2024-25, with 12,899 of those being here in the West Midlands region. 7,316 young people were homeless in the West Midlands in 2024/2025.

*Across the UK, one young person becomes homeless every four minutes.

£16 can fund one night of St Basils supported accommodation for a young person. Every £16 you raise can make a real difference.

St Basils’ impact in 2025–2026:

• • 3,935 young people received advice and support.
  • 1,638 young people were supported by us during the year.
  • 1,059 young people lived in our 40+ accommodation schemes.
  • Up to 598 young people lived with us at any one time.
  • 91% of young people moved on from St Basils in a planned, positive way.

This impact is only possible because people like you take part, fundraise and help change young lives.

Half-term fundraising challenge

Use the school holidays to set your team a simple challenge: how many £16 nights of accommodation can you fund over half term? Could everyone raise enough to fund one night of accommodation for a young person?

Young people could try one of these easy fundraising ideas at home:

• Charity trick-or-treat: collect donations for St Basils instead of sweets.
• Make and sell: bake cakes, make friendship bracelets, pot plants, or sell pre-loved books or toys to your friends, family and neighbours
•  Quiz: organise a fun charity quiz with your friends and family on topics of your interest…you could set one up on …..and ask for a donation to join 😊

 

Final reminders:

• Visit from St Basils: This is your last chance to book a visit from Esther. If you’re interested in arranging a visit whether this is to present an assembly in your school or talk to your group about the work St Basils does, please contact us before Friday 23^rd October to get booked in.

• Risk assessment: Your safety and security is our number 1 priority, so please download a copy of our risk assessment for your records here.