Why I'm Taking Part In Sleep Easy

16 January 2012

At previous Sleep Easy events, we’ve had a wide range of people take part. Local councillors, children as young as 10, church groups, youth groups, hospital staff, scouts, reporters and a few YMCA LSW residents too.

Looking to join the list this year is Joanne Budd, a resident at YMCA Surbiton. She has been homeless since 2006, following a violent relationship and troubles with alcohol. Having stayed with friends, in hostels, in night shelters and even in a tent for 15 months; she feels that homelessness is a bigger issue than people realise:

“It’s surprising how many people I saw in the same situation as me. During the day you don’t see people out and everyone moves around but come the night when people have nowhere to go and you see them in doorways and everywhere else it really does open your eyes and make you realise how many people there are affected.

So many in fact, that there’s just not enough hostel space for them all. With night shelters, a lot of them will only let you stay there for one night and then they’ll kick you out in the morning and you have to go back later on the same day and put your name down again.

Before I was in the situation I’ll admit I thought someone who was homeless was someone who slept on a park bench. But because my clothes were clean and had washed, people didn’t realise I was homeless until I told them.”

Joanne arrived at YMCA Surbiton last year for a second time after being referred by Kingston Churches Action on Homelessness. It’s been a challenging time, after struggles with debt and battles with alcohol but Joanne has come through and recently achieved an I.T. Level 1 training award via YMCA LSW’s Life Skills Programme run for the residents. When Joanne heard about Sleep Easy, she wanted to take part and volunteer on the night, saying that raising awareness of the homelessness issue was key:

“I want to make others aware that there are a lot of people out there who need help. I want them to be aware rather than just burying their heads in the sand and just seeing what they want to see. I also want people to see what organisations like the YMCA have done and how they’ve helped me. Even if it makes one person listen and take note then it’s done something good”.

This year, for this first time, Sleep Easy is taking place in Kingston and Wimbledon on Saturday 28th January. It starts at 7pm until 6am on Sunday morning, with funds raised split between organisers YMCA London South West, Kingston Churches Action on Homelessness (KCAH) and Faith in Action; who will all use the funds to help their work with the homeless in the local community.
If you’d like to take part, visit www.ymcalsw.org/sleepeasy to sign up, or contact Sarah Ward on 020 8339 7308 or email sarahward@ymcalsw.org

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For more information on this press release contact Ben Mole, Communications Officer on 020 8339 7311 (office); 07826 890 171 (mobile); or benmole@ymcalsw.org

About YMCA LSW:
YMCA LSW is a registered charity that works across South West London providing a range of services including supported housing; children's work; sports, health, exercise and fitness; youth work; catering services and conference facilities; short stay hostel accommodation and community programmes.