Signed up? Thanks for committing to Sleep Out to help raise vital funds for Sheffield's homeless people.
The Hallam Sleep Out will take place at Peddler Warehouse. Despite having access to all the facilities you'll need, we expect it to be a pretty cold and uncomfortable night, but that's what this challenge is all about.
Peddler Warehouse, 92 Burton Road, Sheffield, S3 8BX
Thursday 14 March
Arrive by 8:30pm. Breakfast at 6am. Leave by 6:30am.
Toilets will be available to use throughout the night.
Hot drinks will be available throughout the night. You're welcome to bring your own drinks but no alcohol is permitted.
A warm breakfast roll will be served in the morning. Please feel free to bring your own snacks.
Security and a trained first aider will be present throughout the night.
Why take part
Taking part in a Sleep Out is a great way to fundraise for homeless people. It's a challenge that gives a small insight into the tribulations that homeless people experience every day.
Participants are experiencing one night, with preparation and understanding of what they are undertaking, knowing they can pack up and go home when it's over. The Archer Project's beneficiaries do not have this luxury.
Fundraising
Who we are fundraising for
We are running Hallam Sleep Out in partnership with the Archer Project, a local charity on a mission to help homeless people achieve a better life by supporting them to:
- Develop their independence
- Improve their ability to tackle setbacks
- Learn to identify and change negative behaviour
- Build on their wellbeing
The Archer Project have seen a dramatic increase in the number of people in need of support. In 2023, 1,085 people went to them for help. That equates to 8,667 lunches and 12,296 breakfasts for people in need.
For context:
- £10 provides 10 breakfasts
- £100 buys a weeks' worth of milk for the Project (120 litres a week!)
There's no set target of how much you should fundraise. Any money raised will make a huge difference to the charity so please do show your support.
If you would prefer to fundraise for another charity then you are welcome to, but we do ask that 50% of your funds still go to the Archer Project.
How to fundraise
Firstly, you need to set up your JustGiving page. You can set this up via the campaign page set up by Archer Project.
If you would like to fundraise for more than one charity then you will need to create your own JustGiving page to do this (not linked to the campaign page).
Reach out to family, friends, team mates, colleagues, lecturers, and anyone else you know to tell them about the challenge you're undertaking for a great cause and ask them to sponsor you.
You could even ask your social media followers to donate, just remember to provide a link to your JustGiving page to make it as easy as possible.
What to expect on the night
Peddler Warehouse is a covered space with toilets, but it is not heated so will be cold at night. It also has a courtyard if you'd prefer to sleep outside of the venue.
Packing
We'd recommend packing the following items to ensure you stay warm, hydrated, and occupied.
- Sleeping bag, blankets, or fleeces
- Camping mat, cardboard, or yoga mat
- Warm clothes (jumpers, socks, hat, gloves, jacket) - bring more layers than you think you might need
- Camera or phone
- Torch or head torch
- Flask, mug, or hot water bottle
- Book or magazine
- Pen and notepad to record your experience
Documenting your experience
Capture your experience with photos and videos, and share them on social media explaining why you're fundraising for the Archer Project.
Tag us in your social media posts using @hallamsu @archerproject and use the hashtag #TeamArcher.
Accessibility
As always, we aim to make our events as accessible as possible for all students. If you have any accessibility needs, please let us know at volunteering@shu.ac.uk.
Declaration
By choosing to take part in this event, you are declaring you are fit and healthy to do so. You are responsible for bringing all equipment to keep yourself warm during the night. If you do not bring adequate equipment for the night (to keep warm), our team may decide you can't take part in the event for health and safety reasons. This is a non-drinking event and anyone found to be drinking alcohol will be removed by security.
FAQs
Will it still go ahead in bad weather?
We aim to go ahead in most weather conditions. However, if the weather is deemed too dangerous then SU staff will make a decision and all participants will be contacted in advance of the event.
Are there toilets?
Yes, there are toilet facilities on site.
Can we leave the Sleep Out and come back in?
No, unfortunately once we have started the Sleep Out at 8:30pm you will be unable to leave unless in an emergency.
What time can we leave?
6:30am is the finish time of the event.
Will food and drinks be provided?
Hot water, tea, coffee, and milk will be provided throughout the evening. If you need anything else, please bring it yourself. Alcohol is not permitted at this event. Anyone found drinking alcohol will be removed immediately.
Is there parking?
There is a small car park outside the venue and limited street parking around Burton Road.
The Archer Project in action
John's story
John* first came to the Archer Project in 2019. He was sleeping rough at the time and was abusing alcohol following a family tragedy. With one-to-one support from one our frontline team, John was able to complete a detox programme and eventually move into his own rented accommodation. After some initial difficulties with the welfare system, John's Archer Project support worker helped him to identify and claim the right benefits, and find essential items to furnish his flat working with John's landlord and other agencies and charities.
Since then, John has suffered several challenges and setbacks on his journey away from homelessness. He continues to struggle with budgeting and with long term debts and, occasionally, has relapsed into alcohol abuse. Like many people, John found the impact of Covid-19 and the closure of some support services difficult to cope with. Throughout this time, our support workers continued to provide targeted support to John on a weekly basis, helping him to manage his finances to reduce his debts, and to register with a GP. During times of lockdown, support was given over the phone and included practical problem solving and regular checks of his mental and physical health.
With the support of the Archer Project, John is now firmly committed to keeping his flat and has moved away from living on the streets. He is making lifestyle changes to improve his mental and physical health and will hopefully start to join in Archer Project group outings. As a result of the journey he has made with our support, John is becoming more independent and confident in arranging and attending appointments alone. John's journey is not over yet and we shall continue to be there for him. But after some very dark times, life is beginning to look very good for him.
Find out more about the Archer Project
If you require any further assistance, please contact us at volunteering@shu.ac.uk.