PRESS RELEASE 

Sleeping Bag War On Homelessness

The Nottingham-based charity Framework is inviting the public to spend the night in a sleeping bag at Nottingham Racecourse on Saturday 7 October to help tackle the homelessness crisis. 

Press images for download here

Framework’s Big Sleep Out aims to raise more than £50,000 and every penny will help get the increasing number of rough sleepers off the streets and into accommodation.

Framework is appealing to individuals, groups of friends, families, community groups, and teams from local businesses to sign up, get sponsored and encourage others to take part. 

People can sign up at www.frameworkha.org/sleepout. 

Framework’s Head of Fundraising and Communications, Claire Eden sums up the crisis and the need for support: 

“The combined impact of the shortage of affordable housing and the cost of living crisis is having a devastating effect on people’s lives.  

“Rough sleeping in Nottingham has increased by 41% in the past year. Working people are finding they cannot afford the rent and people who are sofa surfing are no longer welcome due to the extra burden on crippling household costs.  

“At its official count for the month of August our Street Outreach Team found 57 people sleeping rough in Nottingham alone. This is the highest monthly figure this year and the highest number for August in the past five years.  

“We are not aiming to replicate the experience that homeless people endure on the streets which can be dangerous and often life-threatening.  However at three in the morning, when people taking part are cold to the bone, they will have greater sympathy for people who are sleeping outside every night. 

“We need the public’s help now more than ever to support the increasing number of people who will experience the trauma of rough sleeping this winter, many of them for the first time. Hundreds of people will face the danger and indignity of sleeping on the streets, in shop doorways, in car parks, on building sites and in graveyards.”

Explaining the importance of participation in the Big Sleep Out, Sam Lanes, who runs Framework’s Street Outreach Team working with rough sleepers across Nottingham seven days a week, 365 days a year, said: 

“The Big Sleep Out gives some insight into what people who are sleeping rough experience every night and raises so much awareness and money to help those individuals.”  

You can see Sam Lanes’ message here.  

Framework’s Event Fundraiser Natalie Dickson who is organising the Big Sleep Out says: 

“The Big Sleep Out appeals to people of all ages who want to do something worthwhile for a good cause. It attracts individuals, groups of friends, families, community groups such as scouts, and teams from local businesses.  

“Sleeping outside in the elements for a single cold October night is challenging enough but, unfortunately, it’s something more and more people have to endure every night. 

“Framework’s Big Sleep Out is an opportunity for like-minded people to come together, enjoy a great evening and raise funds for a deserving cause – helping people in need by sleeping out so others don’t have to and providing support that can change lives.”

This feeling is endorsed by people who took part last year. One said: “The Big Sleep Out is an event with a great community spirit. I would 100% recommend that people try this. It really makes you appreciate your home comforts.”

Another summed it up: “The Big Sleep Out is such a great experience and one of my proudest achievements. Everyone should put this on their bucket list as a must-do!”

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Further information: 

Notes to editors:

Framework’s Big Sleep Out is the charity’s flagship fundraising event. A fundraising sleep out has taken place at a variety of locations across Nottingham almost every year since the 1990s. This will be the third annual Big Sleep Out at Nottingham Racecourse.  

Framework is a charity delivering housing, health, employment, support and care services to people with a diverse range of needs across the East Midlands in Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, and in Sheffield – around 18,000 in the year to March 2023.

Working to end homelessness and tackle disadvantage we aim to empower people to build better, more independent futures: during our first two decades we’ve helped around 200,000 people change their lives and overcome homelessness, addiction, mental ill-health and unemployment.

Regardless of their past, or the challenges they face, we empower people to achieve financial stability, social inclusion and independence, because we believe that everyone has the right and potential to achieve a better future. www.frameworkha.org