Talbot Heath Sixth Form Sleep-Out for the homeless

Last weekend, 27 members of the school community at Talbot Heath swapped their beds for sleeping bags and cardboard boxes to raise money and awareness for homeless young people.

Prepared with cardboard boxes for shelter, the 22 pupils and five staff slept in the Talbot Heath car park. So far, the school community have received over £700 in donations to support the YMCA Bournemouth homelessness project, which helps rough sleepers secure accommodation and a positive long-term future.

One of the sixth formers said it had been a very important event: ‘While the Sleep Out doesn't come close to replicating homelessness, it did give us an insight into the challenges faced by those sleeping rough; it brought home to me a part of the daily and nightly struggles that the homeless may face.’ Another commented, ‘This is people’s lives – that needs to change.’ Another added that it was ‘Extremely valuable, and an experience I’ll never forget.’

Earlier in the day both the Junior and Senior schools had a mufti-day to raise awareness and funds for Shelter charity. Angharad Holloway thanked the girls, staff and parents who supported the sleep-out events, stating, ‘It was a fantastic effort all round and a very cold but successful night. Through the experience every pupil took something away themselves: that homelessness is a real issue that needs to be tackled.’

Thank you to Tesco who kindly provided breakfast and hot chocolate; to staff who lent groundsheets and equipment; and especially to those who have donated to this vital cause.

If you would like to support, please donate at: https://mydonate.bt.com/events/talbotheathschool/