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Kids Build Shelters, Sleep Out for Homelessness
25 Apr
Summary
- Schoolchildren constructed cardboard shelters for a homelessness awareness event.
- YMCA Cheltenham reported a record number of students participating this year.
- Rough sleeping in Gloucestershire rose by 35% in 2024.
A record number of schoolchildren participated in a YMCA Cheltenham fundraising event, constructing cardboard shelters to raise awareness of homelessness. Eighty pupils from Year 5 and 6 across Gloucestershire built these makeshift homes, with YMCA staff sleeping in them overnight.
This initiative aims to highlight the growing issue of homelessness. In Gloucestershire, rough sleeping saw a substantial 35% increase in 2024, with 42 individuals found sleeping rough compared to 31 the previous year. The YMCA provides around 300 beds nightly in Cheltenham.
Organizers stated that the event not only raises vital funds but also educates children about the realities of homelessness. Teachers noted the practical problem-solving involved in shelter construction helps children understand the challenges faced by those without housing, including temperature and safety concerns.
