Almost 40 people are expected to sleep in a churchyard this Friday to raise funds for Hackney Night Shelter. The charity provides 28-day emergency accommodation for people facing homelessness in Hackney. With 26 beds across two different locations, Hackney Night Shelter helps guests to find jobs and permanent accommodation, as well as signposting additional support services.
Molly Sermon, a volunteer coordinator at the shelter, hopes to “start a conversation about homelessness now,” and plans to take part in the sleep out. “In no way is it an opportunity for us to mimic the experience of someone being homeless because that is extremely terrifying and scary,” Molly says, but it is “a great opportunity to raise awareness”.
The sleep out will be held at the St John of Jerusalem Church, E9, and each participant is expected to raise a minimum of £250. The money raised will be funnelled straight back into Hackney Night Shelter’s frontline work. As an independent charity, sponsorship and donations are the mainstay of its funding. Molly spoke about some of the charity’s inescapable costs, which include bills, heating the building and general maintenance.
Homelessness is a pressing issue. In the past year, Hackney Night Shelter outreach teams have contacted 246 homeless people in the borough. According to Molly: “we’re seeing a real shift in the landscape of homelessness, a shocking shift.” Rent rises and evictions are pushing out the locals. People who have lived in Hackney all their lives are suddenly finding themselves homeless. A governmental policy change to refugee support is also having a noticeable impact.
“Being homeless can be very isolating, having a network and a community of people is life changing,” Molly says. If you are unable to donate, there are still small ways to help. One of the most important things is to “acknowledge people”, Molly says. “If you have been sleeping rough for a long time, you can forget that you’re a human being.”
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