On Thursday 16th November I am going to take part in the Eden Project Sleep Out to raise money for the Amber Foundation.

There are many Sleep Out events held across the country and this will be our 10th year of holding one at Eden.

Over the years Eden participants have raised over £100,000 for two local charities. St Petrocs are Cornwall based and support a range of ages, the Amber Foundation work in Devon and further afield, with people aged 18-30. As well as raising funds, the Sleep Out raises a huge amount of awareness, which is almost of equal value to the charities.

The event doesn’t aim to replicate homelessness, but it does provide a very small insight into it, whilst raising considerable funds and awareness.

The current homelessness situation is quite stark, with factors like the cost of living crisis impacting more and more people. Both charities have seen a significant rise in demand for their services recently. In Cornwall the lack of affordable housing and service reduction is causing huge issues also.

Young people turn to Amber for a variety of complex reasons and they can come from all walks of life. However most are from disadvantaged backgrounds and many have been in care. The common triggers we see are family breakdown, leaving care, prison release or losing a private tenancy. However most are also dealing with trauma, mental ill-health and/or addiction. For many the pandemic and the cost of living crisis has only made things worse.

Amber provide a temporary but safe home at their centres in Devon, Wiltshire, Surrey and Kent. During their stay each young person receives full support and follows Amber's unique development programme designed to support them to turn their life around and move on to a bright, independent future.

Why am is Anna taking part?