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28
Apr
Ripon rough sleeping event helps homeless
While the majority of Ripon’s residents were tucked up in bed, a group of hardy people got a taste of what it’s like to sleep rough.
The Dean’s garden, in the shadow of Ripon Cathedral, was the setting for Friday evening's YMCA Sleep Easy event.
The sponsored outdoor sleep raised money as well as awareness to support young people affected by homelessness.
The evening , which involved YMCA staff, trustees and supporters raised £5,000. Anyone wishing to support the cause can still make a donation by clicking here.
Cannon Matthew Pollard was among those who slept out overnight.
Ripon YMCA chief executive Lucy Downes told the Stray Ferret:
We continue to develop our services and capacity to support young people locally and provide accommodation for a total of 22 males and females aged 16 to 25.
The aim is to enable them to move from dependency to being independent, by providing them with the training they need to learn life skills, while also offering help and advice when they are looking to move to a place of their own.
The Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd John Dobson, welcomed the Sleep Easy fundraisers and supporters into his garden.
Other activities
Ms Downes added the charity also funded other projects and activities within the Ripon community:
Our Children in Need Young Leaders project has been running for two years and continues to provide a range of opportunities for young people to get involved with running events for their peer group.
Theatre visits, water safety days, cinema nights, first aid courses, event volunteering and window dressing have all been successful at bringing young people together.
Our National Lottery Community Fund project, called Ripon Youth Matter, provides seven weekly sessions and a number of events and activities for secondary school pupils and wellbeing activities for those 16 plus, while our weekly You Matter session held at the YMCA focuses on advice and guidance for those aged 16 and over on a wide range of topics including housing, benefits, sexual health and employment.
At the end of the 12 hour Sleep Easy event, it was time for breakfast, which was provided by the charity organisation Rapid Relief Team. Pic Ripon YMCA
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