'A very humbling experience' - Group braves the rain and freezing temperatures in Wolverhampton to raise awareness
Over 20 members of a Wolverhampton men’s mental health charity fought the elements and biting cold to spend 24-hours on the streets of the city.
Mandem Meetup’s fifth annual sleepout was its biggest yet with a record turnout helping to promote awareness of male homelessness, whilst also generating funds to support its day-to-day activities.
The organisation completed eight hours of outreach work outside Lloyds Bank in Queen Square, Wolverhampton before moving to Beatties’ entrance for sleep, shelter and more conversations.
They were joined there by four homeless people, who were fed, given warm clothing and sleeping bags and signposted to charities in the area who may be able to help them gain some form of accommodation.
Christian Denton, lead facilitator of Mandem Meetup Wolverhampton said: “According to recent estimates, 83 per cent of people living on the street are male, a stark reminder of the disproportionate impact homelessness has on men and the urgent need for tailored support services.”
“For many, homelessness is deeply entangled with mental health difficulties, social isolation and lack of access to safe, consistent support.
"That’s where we want to step in a help people. The sleepout was a very humbling experience and gave us the chance to reflect on our own lives, some of the challenges we face and, importantly, our achievements.
"There was also a commitment from a lot of our members to hold another sleepout, as they felt it was a really important way of raising awareness and giving something back.”
Now in its fifth year, the sleepout is set to raise thousands when the money is counted and will help the national charity, which provides peer-to-per network support, social activities and football/boxing classes as well as meeting growing demand for mental health and crisis support.
Christian said: "“Every year this movement grows and every year we are reminded how many men feel forgotten or unseen.
“The sleepout isn’t just about raising money, it’s about showing up.
"We did that on Saturday, engaging with hundreds of people during the day and night and hopefully this will play a role in getting more men off the streets.”
A crowd funder page around the event and charity is active and can be accessed here.
