The Ask:

Our programmes work, and we need your support to make sure we can keep offering vital help to all those who need us. As homelessness figures rise sharply, we've had to grow our team, and the capacity of our services to meet the rising demand, and we desperately need you to help us make sure we can cover the associated costs. Whether you can spare £1 or £10000, we massively appreciate the support and this event is all about the community pulling together and doing what they can to make a difference.

What is the Sleepout?

One night of joining the RESTART team to sleep on a street outside our Drop In centre in Knightsbridge, London. The event will take place on 5th December 2025, starting 9pm.

Why?

The scale of the problem: The number of people sleeping on the streets in the UK is at a record high. London saw a 10% increase in rough sleeping in 2024/2025 compared to the previous year, with 13,231 people recorded as sleeping rough. While there was a dip in 2020/21 and 2022/23, likely related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the overall trend is one of increase since 2015/16. Furthermore, England as a whole saw a 91% increase in rough sleeping since 2021, with 4,667 people estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in March 2025. At the same time, services like the NHS, local councils and housing options are more stretched than ever, and those who do find themselves sleeping on the streets have less government support than ever, and rely more heavily on charities like RESTART.

The track record of RESTART Lives: 1/3 of the guests we supported last year were in permanent accommodation within 12 months, over 50% were able to move at least one stage on our progress pathway and over 70% were able to achieve at least one milestone in the plan they agreed with their caseworker to help them move on from homelessness. 100% of guests who did therapy with us saw their mental health approve as per the NHS standard self-assessments. We served over 14000 meals, gave away hundreds of coats, pairs of shoes, sleeping bags and other vital items. We were there for those who were ready to make big positive changes, and those who, for now, are stuck rough sleeping.

Who can take part?

YOU! Adults or children over the age of 10 accompanied by an adult are welcome, as are school groups or other groups of children under adult supervision. If you want to be part of positive social change, and learn more about homelessness while taking on a personal challenge, this is the event for you, so sign up on our website.