Thousands raised for Exeter's homeless at big sleep out
Money raised will be going to help the homeless in the city
Over five thousand pounds has been raised for Exeter's homeless through a Big Sleep Out in the city.
The cold, hard floor of the Big Bank at Exeter City’s St James Park was home for the night for a group of hardy fundraisers.
The Big Sleep Out group spent the bitterly cold night outside to raise awareness of homelessness and funds for Exeter City Community Trust’s Supported Housing programme.
And so far, the group has contributed more that £5,500 to the programme which is designed to designed to help people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to maintain a tenancy and contribute positively to society.
In 2021 Exeter City Community Trust, the partner charity of Exeter City Football Club, established its Supported Housing programme, through which it provides intensive support to help its residents build the skills and knowledge to maintain their own tenancies.
The service focuses on helping residents develop life skills and build confidence to transition into independent living.
By offering a compassionate, person-centred approach, the charity aims to empower individuals to overcome barriers and achieve long-term stability and self-sufficiency.
Jamie Vittles, chief executive of Exeter City Community Trust, said: “Thank you to everyone who braved the cold and gave up their beds to help support our work. Through our Supported Housing Service, we offer safe accommodation, guidance, and support to help individuals rebuild their lives and gain independence.”