Business leaders and executives from across Bristol will swap their usual home comforts for a cold night under the stars. CEO Sleepout, an initiative which aims to raise vital funds and awareness of the growing issue of homelessness across the country, is coming to Clifton Rugby Club on Monday.
CEO Sleepout director Bianca Robinson hopes to raise £30,000 from this event to combat homelessness in the local area, which is being worsened by the rising cost of living. Several local charities will benefit from the funds raised, including BillyChip.
Bristol has one of the highest rates in the UK for people dying while sleeping rough, living in emergency accommodation or in other insecure settings. Bianca said: “It's no secret that Bristol faces rising homelessness. It is wholly preventable and is exactly the issue we’re trying to address.”
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A total of 40 participants have already signed up to sleep outside will be joined by Homes Under the Hammer TV presenter Martin Roberts, who will participate in the event.
He said: “My job is to tell people about property but I’m aware many people are not in a situation to buy their own home or even rent somewhere. They are often on the streets and I want to help highlight their suffering. You have a bed and roof over your head 365 days a year - these people don’t. Experience what it is like for just one night and imagine how it would be if that was normal life.”
One of the local charities set to benefit from the initiative is BillyChip, which was set up in 2018 to continue the legacy of Billy Abernethy-Hope. The charity created a secure currency that can be given to those who need it as an alternative to cash and redeemed in coffee shops and takeaways for food and drink.
Billy’s father Jon Hope, who founded the charity, said: “To those who are participating, Billy would have said you’re fabulous and don’t you ever forget it!” Another local charity set to benefit from the fundraiser is Bedminster-based Help Bristol’s Homeless, which converts shipping containers into micro flats on its site.
Its CEO Jasper Thompson said: “Our ethos is that housing must come first, so we help people into safe, stable and comfortable accommodations. From there, we can help them to improve their own lives and reach their potential.
“Funds from this sleepout will help the charity to provide vital services to its residents to help them with their journey into independent living.” Rugga Coffee Co and Dough Dough Pizza Co, will be selling food and hot drinks for the occasion, with any extra income going to CEO Sleepout.
Speaking to local business people who are thinking of taking part, Bianca said: “The sleepout won't be warm or comfortable, but you'll gain insight that unlocks a deeper understanding of the issues many are currently facing in the region, along with compassion that will hopefully lead to change, opportunities and strengthened local communities.” To date, the national initiative has raised £3.2m for charities throughout the UK.
In March, the Museum of Homelessness released figures on the death rates of homeless people across the UK and Bristol was found to be the third worst hit area in the UK. A total of 28 homeless people died in Bristol in 2021, compared with 18 in the previous year.
The award winning charity obtained its data through over 300 Freedom of Information requests which produced different figures for Bristol than that of the official government data which suggests that 20 homeless people died in Bristol in 2021 and 24 in 2020. According to an estimation from The Office of National Statistics (ONS), homeless deaths have increased by 106 per cent since 2013.
The government's Rough Sleeping Strategy announced in September 2022 with £2 billion in funding attached. The policy paper which sets out how government, partners and local authorities have been working hard to end rough sleeping which they say has decreased by 49 per cent since 2017.
However the government's own data reveals that rough sleeping in the UK has increased by 54 per cent between 2013 and 2021. Housing charity Shelter does not think the government is doing enough to protect rough sleepers or those at risk from poor housing conditions.
An inquest into the death of Awaab Ishak prompted an outcry this week after it found he died in December 2020 from a respiratory condition caused by mould in the one-bedroom housing association flat where he lived with his parents, Faisal Abdullah and Aisha Amin, in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. A petition calling for a new law to prevent any more children dying from exposure to damp and mould in social housing gathered almost 100,000 signatures after just five days.
On average homeless men will die at 45 and for homeless women it's 43, both being over 30 years lower than the national average. Shelter has estimated that this year cold see 'one of the toughest winters yet' for people across the UK and are calling on the government to unfreeze and uncap housing benefits to keep people off the streets.
Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, said: “A freezing doorway, a bed in an emergency hostel, or a flimsy tent are no substitute for a home. It is utterly awful and unacceptable that two people die every day without anywhere safe to live – and this number is rising.
“Our frontline services are seeing more people who’ve run out of options, are facing homelessness, and the very real possibility of sleeping rough. This is going to be one of the toughest winters yet as so many people battle rising rents while housing benefit stays frozen.
“The government promised to end rough sleeping, but things are getting worse not better. The government must immediately unfreeze and increase housing benefit to protect people from the ravages of homelessness this winter, and to keep people off the streets for good it has to invest in building good quality, supported social homes.”
There are limited spaces remaining for the Bristol ‘Sleepout’ event taking place this Monday, November 28. To sign up please visit: ceosleepoutuk.com/bristol
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