The homeless charity has created a version of Sleep in the Park for those aged between eight and 16
Youngsters are being encouraged to join a national movement to end homelessness.
Social Bite unveiled the Wee Sleep Out today (Tuesday, 21 August), which aims to get children involved in the charity’s fundraising drive.
The charity is calling on those aged between eight and 16 to organise their very own Wee Sleep Outs on Friday, 9 November: with the supported of teachers, youth leaders, parents and guardians. The event is part of Scotland’s Year of Young People 2018 and aims to build on the Sleep in the Park initiative.
From back gardens and school grounds to community halls, living rooms and sports centres, each Wee Sleep Out puts young people in the driving seat and gives them the opportunity to showcase their skills and talents by leading on the development and delivery of their own sleep outs.
There will be no sign-up fee, and no minimum fundraising target to make the initiative accessible to all – but young people are encouraged to fundraise as much as they can to contribute towards Social Bite’s nationwide movement to end homelessness.
The Wee Sleep Out coincides with Social Bite’s Sleep in the Park, which will also take place this winter (Saturday 8 December).
Money raised from the Wee Sleep Out events will go towards Social Bite’s wider Sleep in the Park total, which includes supporting Social Bite’s major Housing First project which is expected to take 800 rough sleepers off the streets by 2020.
Alice Thompson, co-founder of Social Bite and organiser of the Wee Sleep Out, said: “The success of Sleep in the Park last year was overwhelming. To bring 8,000 people together and raise £4 million in the process was incredible, and this year we want the young people of Scotland to join us.
“There’s been a real appetite from the young people of Scotland looking to get involved, and a number of them got in touch after Sleep in the Park, offering their support. We even had Cody McManus, aged nine, brave the Beast from the East and sleep out in an Igloo in his back garden - raising £1,000 for the cause.”
Olivia Ferguson, a 16-year-old student at Kelso High School, took part in Sleep in the Park last year and contacted Alice after the event, keen to do something involving other young people.
She said: “This a great opportunity for young people to come together to help end homelessness.
“Last year my family and I took part in the Sleep in the Park, which was a very humbling experience. I didn’t want my support to end there, so I got in touch with Alice and suggested an event in the Borders, and I can wait to organise a Wee Sleep Out.”
The Wee Sleep Out is now open for online registration.
