The YMCA Cheltenham Sleep Easy Challenge

Since its beginnings in 2010, YMCA Sleep Easy has seen over 7,000 people sleep rough in order to raise over £1.5 million for local YMCA services that assist young people in rebuilding their lives.

DONATE TO SLEEP EASY 2026 

Sleep Easy is a unique challenge – offering an insight into the challenge of sleeping rough and a chance for you to help change lives. You can take part by yourself or join a team with family, friends or work colleagues. The event takes place on the grounds of the YMCA Cheltenham Sports Centre

Registering for SLEEP EASY 2026 couldn’t be easier!

1. Register your place by clicking RESERVE MY PLACE below
2. Create a sponsorship page on the just giving website where your friends and family can sponsor you for sleeping out (Don’t worry, we’ll help you set it up)
3. On Friday 24th April @ 7pm join the rest of the team to design and build your cardboard box to sleep in for the night
4. A warm breakfast on the house and a huge sense of achievement as you pat yourself on the back.     

The BIG Shelter Build

Every year YMCA Cheltenham invite local primary schools from across the county to take part in our BIG SHELLTER BUILD.

This challenge is unique to YMCA Cheltenham and Gloucestershire Primary Schools.  Our BIG Shelter Build gives Year 5 & 6 pupils the chance to come together and make a real difference to those experiencing homelessness in the county.  On the morning of our SLEEP EASY challenge, schools are invited to the YMCA Cheltenham Sports Centre to design and make the cardboard shelters for the YMCA Cheltenham team to sleep in. Each shelter is designed with a specific staff member in mind and takes inventive problem solving, teamwork, and a lot of imagination to meet their requirements . Each child who takes part receives a goody bag and a certificate.

This event is a firm favourite with our local schools.

“The experience exceeded our expectations. It really opened the children’s eyes to the reality of homelessness. The staff were fantastic at engaging the children in the activity. The children loved that a grown up was actually going to use their shelter for the night. It was really interactive and they loved meeting the person who was sleeping in their shelter.” – Headteacher, Linden Primary School 

“I cannot express my gratitude enough for how much the children relished, learnt from and loved this trip. It really inspired them!” – Year 6 Teacher, Christ Church Primary School

“The Shelter Build was AMAZING! We came last year, and I begged the teacher if I could go again with the children as it was so much fun!” – Teaching Assistant, Rowanfield Junior School 

Sleep Easy is one of our most important annual fundraising events. Participants give up their beds for one night to sleep outside, so others don’t have to, raising vital funds and awareness for YMCA Cheltenham and the support and accommodation we offer to the homeless.

Every pound raised helps us provide safe housing, wellbeing support and life changing opportunities for vulnerable people here in Gloucestershire. To find out more about the services we offer, check out our latest video HERE. 

We are currently seeking support from valued local businesses and contractors to help make this event a success and we would be delighted if you would consider supporting us by becoming an event sponsor. 

As a sponsor, your business will receive: 

• Your logo printed on event t-shirts worn by staff and volunteers 

• Inclusion in all online promotion and event advertising 

• Logo placement on goody bags distributed during our BIG Shelter Build school event 

• Inclusion in sponsorship packs sent to participating schools and families 

• Regular recognition and shout-outs across our social media channels 

• Named partner recognition on the YMCA Cheltenham website 

• Potential exposure through local media coverage, including BBC Radio Gloucestershire 

More importantly, your support would directly help vulnerable people in our community who are facing homelessness, giving them stability, guidance and hope for the future. 

We would also love to see businesses we work with taking part in the event itself. Whether that’s you, members of your team, or even family and friends. It’s a powerful team building experience and a meaningful way to support and be part of our local community. 

You can find full details and register here:
https://ymcacheltenham.com/sleep-easy/

If you would be open to a short conversation about sponsorship or involvement please contact faye.dewhurst@cheltenhamymca.com or call 01242 524024