The Sleep Out at Norwich Cathedral Cloister on January 26 was organized to raise funds for the Norwich-based homelessness charity St. Martins. The Cathedral has a long-standing connection with St. Martins, as it was founded by Dean Alan Webster in the charity’s origin in 1972 and has since provided accommodation and support for people experiencing homelessness. The event aimed to raise awareness about the complexities of homelessness and the challenges faced by individuals living on the streets, and to combat indifference towards the issue.
Mark Sims, a former Support Worker at St. Martins, initially had reservations about participating in the Sleep Out, questioning if it was a parody of rough sleeping. However, he ultimately decided to sign up for the event, finding it to be a worthwhile challenge and an interesting experience. Participants were welcomed by Cathedral Canon Andy Bryant and St. Martins CEO Jan Sheldon, who also took part in the sleepout. Despite the difficulties of sleeping in the Cloister and the winter cold, participants engaged in various activities throughout the night, such as a candlelit Compline prayer and conversations with fellow participants about their reasons for taking part. The event raised a total of £20,857 for St. Martins, which will go towards the new Netherwood Green project, providing 12 single-bed units in partnership with Flagship Housing to address the housing crisis.
The event was a success both in terms of raising funds for St. Martins and in raising awareness about homelessness and the challenges faced by rough sleepers. Participants had the opportunity to reflect on their own experiences and engage in conversations about the issue of homelessness. The Sleep Out aims to combat indifference towards individuals experiencing homelessness and to provide support for the services offered by St. Martins. The event also highlighted the importance of providing sustainable housing and communities, with the funds raised going towards the construction of single-bed units through the Netherwood Green project in partnership with Flagship Housing.
Overall, the Sleep Out at Norwich Cathedral Cloister was a positive experience that brought people together to support a worthy cause and raise awareness about the complexities of homelessness. It provided participants with an opportunity to reflect on the challenges faced by rough sleepers and to contribute to fundraising efforts for St. Martins. The event showcased the community’s commitment to supporting individuals experiencing homelessness and emphasized the importance of providing sustainable housing solutions to address the housing crisis.
