Calls for people to help tackle youth homelessness on the Yorkshire Coast

YMCA Yorkshire Coast is taking part in a national event

Author: Karen LiuPublished 16th Feb 2023

People on the Yorkshire Coast are being called on to take part in a national event to raise awareness about youth homelessness.

It comes from the YMCA who say hundreds of people will be sleeping anywhere but their beds from 7pm on Friday 10th March to 7am on Saturday 11th March.

The national Sleep Easy event aims to make a lifetime of difference in just one night. YMCA Yorkshire Coast join forces with fellow YMCAs across the country to take part in this collective event to raise vital funds and awareness to help tackle the underlying causes of youth homelessness in Scarborough and the coastal areas.

Sleep Easy 2023 will take place in person in YMCA Scarborough and will take the form of a sleep over in their Gymnasium. Registration is just £6 and that pays for an evening meal, evening entertainment and breakfast in the morning.

Liam Downey, General Manager of YMCA Yorkshire Coast said:

“168 young people are at risk of homelessness every day across England and Wales, and it is no secret that YMCA plays a vital role in preventing this risk from becoming a reality.

“Events like Sleep Easy are essential, especially during a time of uncertainty and impossible personal challenges. The cost of living crisis has hit everyone differently, but our local community is incredible. They adapt and unite to help those most in need.

“We are calling on our community to continue this support for young homeless people struggling right now, to show them that together we care, that we are there for them, and to highlight the overwhelming difference this can make to people’s lives. The efforts, the awareness and the money raised from Sleep Easy events fills our hearts.

“We have served our community for the past 176 years, and we know that without the support given by YMCA Yorkshire Coast many more young people would face homelessness.

“Please join us for Sleep Easy 2023 by participating, contributing, and nominating others and to share the message that “one night can make a lifetime of difference.”

Money brought in has helped YMCA Yorkshire Coast, which works with hundreds of out local community each year, to provide support, advice, mentorship and activities for young people and our local community.

YMCA says it is the largest voluntary sector provider of supported housing for young people in England and Wales, providing a bed for 9,400 people each night and collectively helping more than 20,000 people experiencing homelessness each year.

For more information or to register for Sleep Easy 2023, visit their website.

First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Rayo app.