'Big Sleep Out' in Reading to support post-pandemic housing crisis
Launchpad say there's been a big increase in people needing help
A Berkshire based homelessness charity is hoping to raise sixty thousand pounds by inviting people to sleep out in their gardens.
The charity Launchpad says proceeds from their 'big sleep out' on Saturday night will help support people facing pandemic linked housing issues.
Becky Medhurst-Jones from the charity says they're seeing a variety of problems:
"People who are on the brink of homelessness through redundancy, they're fleeing domestic violence, or they've been asked to leave their home because the eviction ban has been lifted, or other people whose tenancies are at risk because they are battling mental health or their addiction has worsened. So we're seeing the pandemic have a real impact on peoples housing situations"
The Big Sleep Out is in its 16th year and over that time more than a quarter of a million pounds has been raised.
It's not too late to take part https://launchpadreading.org.uk/get-involved/our-events/big-sleep-out-2021/
Find out more here: https://launchpadreading.org.uk/big-sleep-out-at-home-guide/