If you would like to take part in next years BIG Sleep Easy, please contact Sheena Dayman on 07824333505 or via email sheena.dayman@ymcabournemouth.org.uk

The Sleep Easy in 2025 will be the last BIG Sleep Easy for a while.

Sheena shall be retiring in December of 2025, after 18 years of service to the YMCA and our community.

Please consider taking part in 2025 and giving Sheena the send-off that she deserves.

“Sleep Easy’s” offer a fantastic challenge to individuals and organisations who wish to help raise awareness of the hardships of homelessness and raise funds for YMCA Bournemouth – a Bournemouth based homeless charity – that works to bring homelessness to an end. Participants, who can be individuals, groups, or businesses, set themselves a fundraising target before wrapping up warm, building a cardboard shelter and then ‘sleeping rough so others don’t have to’.

The YMCAB “Sleep Easy” raises thousands of pounds annually, helping to tackle issues caused by homelessness in Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch and other parts of Dorset. We offer hope to local homeless people, as well as creating an understanding of what it is really like to sleep rough for those taking part.

We are so grateful to be supported by businesses, schools and community groups who will “sleep rough for one night, so others don’t have to”.

All funds raised are used by YMCA Bournemouth to help those in need achieve independent living and secure a safe and positive long-term future.

Sheena Dayman, Events Manager at YMCA Bournemouth commented: “It was great to see over 80 people from a diverse selection of businesses, all wanting to make a real difference to people’s lives, taking part in the 2023 Big Sleep Easy.

Everyone had a great time and the quality of shelter building was extremely high.

This was the hardest fundraising year to date. Even though money is tight, the perseverance of those involved was incredible. People really dug deep to provide the vital funds that we need.  One participant raised just over £1,300, which was incredible.

Not only do the ‘Sleep Easy’ events raise vital funds, but they also promote team building, informal networking and demonstrate a genuine commitment to supporting the homeless community. The events have been so successful and valued that we’ve had people repeatedly
sign up, year after year. I encourage everyone – whether an individual or an organisation – to take part in an event this year and help us change lives in Dorset for the better.”

Our main sponsor, Lester Aldridge Solicitors, have raised more than £24,000 over the last six years, through multiple group events and individual staff sleeping rough to contribute their support to the cause.

Mark Benham, Partner at Lester Aldridge, added: “We take great pride in backing this vital local charity. All of us need to embrace social responsibility and contribute to our community’s needs. Lester Aldridge proudly stands behind YMCA Bournemouth, an outstanding charity dedicated to transforming communities. Through its local services, the organisation offers hope for a better future to children, young people, and vulnerable individuals.”

YMCA Bournemouth is encouraging local communities to “Sleep rough to support those who are finding it tough!”

Registration is now open and YMCAB is inviting businesses, groups and individuals to join them as they once again bed down under the stars for the night. All participants raise funds via JustGiving. Sheena Dayman, Events Manager, YMCAB says:

“One night can make a lifetime of difference. Please join us and make a difference to vulnerable people locally.”

If you are unable to join us – you can make a donation by following this link

https://justgiving.com/campaign/ymcabbigsleepeasy2024

To receive an information pack, or to become a sponsor, please complete the form below.

A number of schools, colleges, other organisations & individuals have held “Sleep Easy” fundraising events on our behalf. All participants raise funds via JustGiving. On the night they build shelters out of cardboard boxes, before spending a night (in a safe environment) ‘sleeping rough so others don’t have to’.

We provide guidance, set up the fundraising mechanism and provide all the materials to make the event a success. For schools, we can come into the school and talk to the pupils about how they can help to combat homelessness, just by taking part.

In 2023 our supporters raised over £35,000 by sleeping out so others don’t have to.

To receive an information pack, or to become a sponsor, please complete the form below.

Each “Sleep Easy” fundraising event costs money to put on.

In return for sponsoring the event – the sponsor will:

• Have their logo on the Thank You Certificate that are given to each participant
• Have their company name and logo attached to the event packs
• The sponsor’s name & logo will appear on our website and be used on our social media platforms – for publicity purposes.

Sponsors of a school “Sleep Easy” have the option to judge the shelters or give out the prizes

To find out more about sponsoring a “Sleep Easy”, please contact Sheena via email sheena.dayman@ymcabournemouth.org.uk

• Lester Aldridge
• Britannia Leatherbarrows
• Domino’s
• Suez
• Wessex Packaging
• Travis Perkins – Poole
• Moka Pot – Westbourne
• Enhanced
• Aspire Jobs
• John Palmer
• Barrington Financial Services
• Tesco
• Damplax

Thank you for all of your support