Councillor Teresa Heritage, the Mayor of St Albans City & District, will be supporting Open Door at the St Albans Sleepout this year. Aaron Jacob, a former St Albans City & District Councillor, is representing the Mayor and will be joining us and sleeping out overnight, raising vital funds for Open Door.

On Friday, 7th November 2025, Aaron will be swapping his bed for a sleeping bag for one night to help raise vital funds for Open Door and people experiencing homelessness in our community.

Every year, participants from across St Albans come together to brave the cold, raise awareness, and support the essential services that Open Door provides – from emergency shelter and hot meals to long-term help and hope.

The Open Door night shelter on Bricket Road can accommodate 12 people year-round with 12 ensuite bedrooms, but for the eighth winter running the charity will provide additional emergency accommodation throughout the coldest season. This year the charity will partner with St Albans Council to deliver the project.

The Winter Beds Project provides people who would otherwise be rough sleeping with a safe warm space to sleep each night

Guests of the project are supported in finding secure accommodation to move on to by the rough sleeper outreach team.

Last year, the project ran from November through to the beginning of April and accommodated 21 people, 9 of whom moved on to long-term housing and 7 moved into temporary accommodation.

Please support this vital service and help support the most vulnerable in our community.