28 Sep 2026
When you picture homelessness, you might picture someone sleeping in a doorway or on your local high street. But for many young people, homelessness is almost invisible.
They might still be going to college. Still turning up for work. Still seeing their friends. But at night, they don’t have a safe, secure place to call home.
They could be sofa surfing, moving between friends’ houses because they have nowhere else to stay. They may be living in temporary or unsuitable accommodation, or staying somewhere they don’t feel safe simply because the alternative is having nowhere to go.
This is hidden homelessness – and it can be incredibly difficult to spot.
For anyone, not knowing where you’re going to sleep next week – or even tomorrow night – can affect every part of your life. Education, work, relationships and mental wellbeing can all suffer.
One young person who sought support from Herts Young Homeless (HYH) after experiencing sofa surfing and occasional rough sleeping described the constant uncertainty:
“You’re never really in one place… my clothes are at one place, my bag’s at another. Who has this stuff? Who has that stuff? Where can I go next? You’re always thinking about what’s going to happen. It’s quite scary and it damages your mental health, because you don’t really have a safe space.”
They also described what they would do if they had nowhere at all to stay: “If it really came to it, I wouldn’t sleep, I’d just walk and keep myself awake until the next day.”
Supporting people facing homelessness isn’t only about helping those who are sleeping rough.
It’s also about recognising the warning signs, reaching people earlier and helping prevent a difficult housing situation from becoming a crisis.
Herts Young Homeless, the lead partner for the St Albans Sleepout 2026, supports vulnerable young people across Hertfordshire who are homeless, threatened with homelessness or experiencing housing difficulties.
Alongside practical support, HYH has a strong focus on prevention and early intervention:
– helping young people understand their options and find support before they reach crisis point.
Because behind every statistic is a young person trying to continue with everyday life without the security many of us take for granted.
On Friday November 13, people from across St Albans and Hertfordshire will come together at Oaklands College for the St Albans Sleepout 2026.
The event raises vital funds for five local organisations – Herts Young Homeless, Emmaus, Open Door, The Living Room and Centre 33 – all working in different ways to support people experiencing homelessness, hardship and vulnerability.
Spending one night outside can never replicate the experience of not having a safe and secure place to call home – and that isn’t what the Sleepout is trying to do.
Instead, it’s about taking positive action.
It’s about raising vital funds, starting conversations and raising awareness of the homelessness we see and the homelessness we don’t.
Last year, over 100 people took part and raised an incredible £27,763. This year, the aim is to double that and make the St Albans Sleepout bigger than ever. The St Albans Sleepout is open to individuals, families, friends, businesses, schools, clubs and community groups. Entry is FREE, with everyone taking part asked to commit to raising at least £100 per person.
When you register, your own online fundraising page is automatically created, making it easy to share your challenge with friends, family and colleagues. You’ll also receive fundraising ideas and resources to help you reach your target.
So, who could you persuade to join you? Your family? Your colleagues? Your school? Your sports team? A group of friends? Sleep out. Fundraise. Start a conversation. Make a difference locally.
Find out more and register at www.stalbanssleepout.org.uk or email events@hyh.org.uk.
