Belfast Live is joining the End Youth Homelessness Sleep Out this November with under pressure charity MACS.
With young people still sleeping on streets across Northern Ireland because of family breakdowns, parents' mental health issues and more, MACS is appealing for support for the event at Banana Block this November 24.
In a heartbreaking video shared by the charity, boys and girls describe how they 'lost everything' with some having to pack up and move every month before MACS helped them.
Read more: "We have to try and hold on to hope.. sometimes it's very hard"
"I just wanted to kill myself, I was done," said one young woman.
"For a while I was sleeping on the street. I had to distance myself from everyone because I didn't want them knowing the truth. I was embarrassed at where I had got but it wasn't my fault."
Another added: "There was junkies, people who were drunk, people with screaming babies - and I was like, I'm literally going to turn into something like that. I'm going to end up on the streets, taking drugs."
But MACS gave them hope through the many services and homelessness interventions they provide.
Currently the charity, which has been operating for 30 years, houses and offers floating support to around a third of young people who present as homeless in NI. They also run a prison resettlement programme which has won awards for innovation in housing, basically helping young people transition from prison into housing and occupations.
Without MACS some of the young offenders, who often have underlying mental health and associated drug addiction problems, might be released from prison without a home to go to and end up in a hostel or on the streets where they are far more likely to repeat the same self-destructive patterns that made them offend in the first place.
Now the charity is challenging people to give up their beds for a night and sleep out in recognition of those who don't have one. Funds raised will help them carry on the crucial services they provide to young people at risk of homelessness across the province.
Kate Martin from MACS says "the Sleep Out doesn’t try to replicate homelessness".
"It would be impossible to recreate the fear, loneliness and discomfort of not having a safe place to call home," she added. "But it gives a glimpse into the reality some young people are facing. The next day you’ll likely feel uncomfortable and tired. You realise how hard it is to go to work, or study and manage your life after just one night away from home comforts’.
The charity says the Sleep Out is a fun filled evening.
"We’re thankful to Banana Block for donating their venue where comedian Micky Bartlett has volunteered to perform some stand-up. Gathering Drum will provide a drum circle and there’ll be warm drinks and food. There’s always a shared sense of fun and purpose.
Hinting at celebrity participation Kate Martin joked "well, you never know who you’ll end up sleeping with at Sleep Out!"
Previous Sleep Outs have been attended by Bond actor Colin Salmon; country singer Lee Matthews, chart topper Pixie Lott, TV presenter Joe Lindsay and author Glenn Patterson.
"Now, more than ever, our services are under pressure," added a charity spokesperson.
"Homelessness on the streets is now a visible problem especially amongst the younger generation but it is only the tip of the iceberg. The hidden homeless are sofa surfing or staying in temporary accommodation which doesn’t always offer appropriate conditions or support for these young vulnerable people."
Could you Sleep Out for one night so a young person doesn’t have to?
Click here to register for Sleep Out. Early bird, half price registration of £10 applies until November. Children £5.
You can also donate to MACS by clicking here, texting ‘MACS05’ followed by the donation amount to 70070. For example, to donate £5 send ‘MACS05 £5’ to 70070.
For further info or to plan your own Sleep Out event email events@macsni.org or call MACS on 02890 313163.
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