Last Thursday between the biomes at the Eden Project we joined together with the Amber Foundation and almost 100 supporters for the 10^th anniversary of the Sleep Out. An extraordinary event that focuses on creating an atmosphere of solidarity, understanding, and community support.

The ambiance of the event is not intended to be one of hardship but of shared purpose, camaraderie, and reflection. The event instils gratitude and compassion, reminding participants of the importance of community and their role in addressing homelessness.

The night does not mimic the challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness but is instead dedicated to raising awareness and funds to support the lives of those experiencing homelessness. Attendees do however experience a small glimpse into some of the difficulties faced by sleeping outside, such as the cold, hard floors, and the after effects of little, or broken sleep.

Participants engage in conversations and listen to talks gaining a deeper understanding of the multifaceted issues surrounding all types of homelessness. Rough sleeping is the most visible form of homelessness but there are a wide range of situations that are also described as homelessness. These evenings encourage empathy, fostering a more informed and compassionate community.

The evening was filled with entertainment, including music from Notability Community Choir, Suzie Mac and Martin Skews and Sam Richardson. Helen and Anna from StreetDraw24 joined us overnight as well drawing the night away to provide all participants with a memento from the night. 

We heard talks throughout the evening from Dan James and Peter Stewart from the Eden Project, Author Raynor Winn. Henry Meacock, Chief Executive of St Petrocs, and Becky Fry, Fundraising Manager at the Amber Foundation both also spoke sharing updates on the current situations faced by both charities. 

A huge THANK YOU to all the amazing supporters who joined us and raised money to support those experiencing homelessness.

We are incredibly grateful to the whole team at the Eden Project for hosting yet another fantastic event, for the 10^th year running. A whole decade of collaboration and compassion.