The Big Sleepout

The Big Sleepout 2023

Sleep rough for one night so a young person doesn’t have to.

Date: 6pm, Friday 1st December 2023 – 6am, Saturday 2nd December
Location: Millennium Point, Curzon St, Birmingham, B4 7XG

Please read the Terms & Conditions for this event before registering.

Are you a professional looking to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young people?

At The Big Sleepout 2023, we’re challenging you and your colleagues to step out of your comfort zone and spend a night under the open sky, all for a great cause.

By raising funds and awareness, we aim to provide essential support to young people at risk of homelessness in the West Midlands, who are in increasing need of our help.

The event makes a great team building exercise whilst also helping you and your business to reach your CSR goals. With over 30 local businesses taking part every year, it’s a great networking opportunity to meet like-minded businesses and individuals with the common goal of helping the local community, as well as being a fun team-building exercise or Christmas celebration.

About the Night

Be a Part of History

The event, running for around 30+ years, is a challenge to sleep outside on a cold winter’s evening, so that a young person may not have to. The Big Sleepout is St Basils flagship event, and is the oldest of it’s kind. St Basils has been providing support to young people for 50 years, ever since it was a night shelter based from St Basils Church in Digbeth.

Creative Cardboard Competition

You can expect a winter-themed evening of like-minded individuals building their shelter for the night in hopes to win our coveted “Creative Cardboard Competition” Award – so get your creative head on! We have seen full castles, cars, full 2 story homes and lots of fancy dress.

Entertainment on the Night

The night will be adorned with free curry and hot drinks from the well-loved Langar Aid, as well as the anticipated presentation inside Millennium Point, where we share heart-warming stories from young people with guest speakers such as CEO Jean Templeton.

Why should I take part?

Your participation will directly contribute to providing shelter, education, and essential support services for young people at risk of or experiencing homelessness. The impact of your participation in this charity event goes far beyond the night itself- by supporting the event and fundraising for us, you’re investing in young people, and therefore the future of our wider society.

Our services include:

Supported accommodation
Emergency accommodation
Care Leavers Support
Employability Programme
Homelessness prevention services (such as mediation and substance misuse support)
Youth Voice (a programme dedicated to preventing homelessness by ensuring young people are heard in the homelessness prevention sphere)

Every penny raised will contribute to ensuring these services stay available for those who need them.

FAQS

Does it cost to take part?

No, it’s free. But we do rely very heavily on people raising vital funds through sponsorship and sharing your fundraising page with friends, family and colleagues. Each £9 raised helps us to pay for a night’s accommodation for a young person, of which we support 600+ every single night.

How much should I raise?

As much as you can! Most individuals taking part aim to raise £100+.

What should I wear?

As per the English weather, expect to wear warm coats, thick socks and gloves, sensible waterproof shoes or boots, and overall, something comfortable. We even have participants show up in fancy dress, or their warmest pyjamas! Your imagination is the limit, as long as you are warm.

What should I bring with me?

You should bring a sleeping bag/ blankets, a roll mat, extra thin layers, snacks and non-alcoholic drinks, and small games or some entertainment to get you through the night.

How many people turn up?

Approximately 400+ people each year take part in the St Basils Big Sleepout.

What is the Creative Cardboard Competition?

Participants bring their own cardboard and materials to decorate their shelter every year. In the past, people have made castles, palaces, Land Rovers, and even the Millennium Falcon with flashing lights! The most creative shelter of the night wins the coveted Big Sleepout Creative Cardboard trophy.

Is there entertainment on the night?

We have the amazing Band of the West Midlands Fire Service playing festive favourites, a wonderful warming curry being served by community favourites Langar Aid, and games such as Giant Jenga. We will also have the creative cardboard competition, the presentation in the Millennium Point and chances to chat and network with others who share your values.

I am not receiving emails about the event?

We will keep you updated with news about the 2023 Big Sleepout via email. The emails will have all of the details you need to know about the event, as well as important updates, tips and tricks, news of attendees and more. It is important you get these emails to keep updated. Please email us at fundraising@stbasils.org.uk if you are not receiving our emails, and we will do our best to help.

Register here

Quote from 2022 attendee:

“We love attending the Big Sleepout every year for Christmas. Throughout the cold and sometimes extreme discomfort of the night, the saving grace is the spirit of those around you: the helping hands supplying warming curries and coffees, the good will of the volunteers and other sleepouters- and of course, the relief you get from a hot bath and comfy bed the day after! To know that we have the opportunity to bring that warmth, safety, community and relief to a young person keeps me coming back with my team every year.”

Thank you

A thank you to our dear friends, who this legendary event wouldn’t be possible without the support of:

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