On Thursday, March 27th, YMCA Northamptonshire hosted its first-ever Sleepout at the iconic Northamptonshire County Cricket Club. This inspiring event brought together a dedicated team of staff, supporters, and community members, including our Chair, Jennifer Walker, joined by the Mayor and Mayoress of the town, to raise vital funds and awareness for young people experiencing homelessness.
The Sleepout raised an incredible £8,370 (including Gift Aid), which will directly support care-experienced young people living at YMCA Northamptonshire. These funds will help provide a safe home, emotional support, and employment opportunities—empowering young people to belong, contribute, and thrive.
The evening featured an insightful panel discussion led by Kat Newman, YMCA Director of Youth and Community along with Amarjit Pawar from Right Resolution CIC and JJ, who together, shed light on the unique challenges faced by care-experienced young people as they transition into independent living and manage their own tenancies. Our participants then spent the night outdoors, gaining a small but powerful insight into the realities of homelessness.
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who participated, donated, or supported this event, in particular Northamptonshire County Cricket Club for generously providing the venue. We are delighted to continue our partnership with them and look forward to exploring future opportunities that will create a lasting impact in our community. Your generosity and compassion are helping us ensure that experiencing care is not a barrier to future success.
Fundraising Manager, Lorraine Devereux shared: “This event has not only raised much-needed funds but also shone a light on the barriers young people leaving care face when they reach 18.”