03 Sep 2025
With the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and inflation at its highest since early 2024, more and more people are finding themselves homelessness or at risk of homelessness. That’s why this year’s St Albans Sleepout is more important than ever.
The event, at Oaklands College on Friday November 7, invites families, schools, local businesses, youth and social groups to come together for the night where they’ll hear powerful stories from charity representatives, local dignitaries, and people who have experienced homelessness firsthand.
It will also feature craft activities and live entertainment from local musicians and hot food and drink stalls.
Participants will swap warm beds for sleeping bags and cardboard, stepping out of their comfort zones to experience a glimpse of the reality faced by those without a safe place to call home. It’s a unique and meaningful challenge, shared with others, that leaves a lasting impact. Funds raised will directly support five local homelessness charities – Herts Young Homeless, Open Door, The Living Room, Emmaus, and Centre 33 – who are all seeing demand for their services increase as the crisis continues.
Jonny Whitehead, chief executive of Herts Young Homeless, said: “Every young person deserves the chance to grow up in safety and stability, yet youth homelessness in Hertfordshire has risen by 13 per cent in the last year. Behind those figures are real lives – like many young people we have recently supported who had been sofa-surfing for months, moving from house to house with no secure place to call home.
“We see these situations every day, and we know that together, we can change them. The Sleepout is a powerful reminder of what we can achieve as a community when we unite for a cause. I invite everyone to take part this winter: challenge yourself, raise awareness, and help us build brighter futures for young people who urgently need our support.”
Open Door chair of trustees Rachel Merelie said: “No one chooses to sleep rough and those who find themselves doing so need our help. Can you sleep out for one night to help the Open Door charity to fulfil its mission? We want to ensure that no one has to sleep rough in the St Albans area and empower people experiencing homelessness to rebuild their lives. We work in partnership with other local organisations providing funding and volunteers for the Open Door Homeless Hub at Bricket Road as well as providing additional accommodation and food over the harsh winter months.”
Duncan Lewis, chief executive of Emmaus Hertfordshire added: “We are seeing an increase in demand on our charity as people struggle to afford stable housing, due to the impact of the cost-of-living crisis and increased inflation.
“Our charity plays a vital role in giving people the chance to rebuild their lives by providing a home, tailored support and work opportunities in our social enterprise. However, we rely on public support to enable us to do this, which is why the St Albans Sleepout is such a fantastic event; not only does it raise awareness of the work we do but it raises much-needed funds from the wonderful people who support us during the night, helping us end the trauma of homelessness.”
Find out more and sign up to the St Albans Sleepout at: www.stalbanssleepout.org.uk
Can’t attend? You can still support the cause with a donation.
Herts Young Homeless https://www.hyh.org.uk/
Open Door https://opendoorstalbans.org/
The Living Room https://www.livingroomherts.org/
Centre 33 http://www.centre33.org/
Emmaus https://emmaus.org.uk/hertfordshire/
