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On Friday 7 March, YMCA Cheltenham hosted Sleep Easy 2025, bringing together our community in a powerful display of solidarity with those facing homelessness. Our incredible participants swapped their warm beds for cardboard shelters, raising over £6,000 to directly support local people without a safe place to call home.
The day started with our brilliant Big Shelter Build, marking the second year we’ve welcomed local schools to join in. Equipped with materials, cardboard boxes, and even pretend currency to ‘buy’ extra supplies, the children built creative shelters for the Sleep Easy participants later that evening. Each shelter told a story—some featured cardboard microwaves, miniature flower gardens, or even family portraits to offer comfort during a chilly night.
The creativity on display caught the eye of Cheltenham’s Mayor, who joined us to admire the imaginative shelters and speak warmly about the commitment and kindness shown by the young builders. The event also captured wider attention thanks to live coverage by BBC Radio Gloucestershire, bringing the important message of Sleep Easy to thousands more.
Experiencing the Reality
While some children focused on building shelters, others took the challenge a step further, bravely spending the night sleeping outdoors alongside their parents. Facing the reality of rough sleeping first-hand, their courage and compassion became an inspiration to everyone involved.
Sleep Easy Soup Kitchen
Adding warmth (quite literally!) to the event was the Sleep Easy Soup Kitchen, kindly supported by Tesco. Participants and supporters gathered to share comforting soup and fresh bread rolls, creating a sense of community and highlighting the difference a simple meal can make to someone experiencing homelessness. The Soup Kitchen not only provided sustenance—it symbolised our community’s care, unity, and support.
Thank You for Making It Possible
This impactful night wouldn’t have been possible without the generosity of our community, participants, and sponsors:
- Theory, Uplift Chiropractic, and Evolve Integrated Systems for sponsoring Sleep Easy 2025
- Build It for sponsoring the Big Shelter Build
- Tesco for providing delicious food for our Sleep Easy Soup Kitchen
- The Big Yellow Self Storage Company for supplying cardboard boxes for shelters
Looking Ahead to Sleep Easy 2026
Inspired by this year’s event? Join us next year and help us continue changing lives, one night at a time. Register your interest here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/ymca-cheltenham/registration-for-ymca-cheltenham-sleep-easy-2026/2026-03-06/18:00/t-rpvnenn
Together, we’re creating a community where everyone has the warmth, safety, and support they deserve.
#SleepEasy2025 #BigShelterBuild #CommunitySpirit #ChangingLives #YMCA