For many people, the cost of living crisis has significantly impacted daily life. For charity organisations like ours, it’s been challenging in more ways than one.
Firstly, financial challenges have driven more and more people to poverty, in some cases resulting in homelessness and a reliance upon organisations like Simon on the Streets. Then there’s the fact that funding and charitable donations have inevitably reduced, making resources, care and appropriate support more challenging to provide.
Here at Simon on the Streets, we’re very clear: nothing will deter us from trying to make a difference for those experiencing homelessness in West Yorkshire. We’ll continue our vital work for as long as needed and have your support.
So, without further ado, let’s look at why we need events like our flagship fundraiser, Simon’s Big Sleep Out.
The scale of homelessness is far bigger than we realise
It’s difficult to fully grasp the size of the homelessness issue in the UK when the ‘hidden homeless’ are still very much left out of public statistics. The latest research from Crisis suggests as many as 62% of single people experiencing homelessness slip through the cracks when it comes to records.
Hidden homelessness takes many forms, whether that’s sofa surfing with family and friends, living in unstable accommodation like outbuildings, or squatting in unregulated buildings. Many of these arrangements fall outside local authority records, so they’re often left out of important discussions. It makes it almost impossible to gather wholly accurate data when it comes to the issue.
Funds from events like Simon’s Big Sleep Out raise funds to keep our outreach team in the community - helping reach those who fall through the cracks of wider national schemes.
Because 1 in 3 people experiencing homelessness will die from treatable conditions
Since beginning to gather information on the subject roughly seven years ago, research suggests that 1 in 3 people experiencing homelessness will die of treatable conditions. Without proper treatment-management plans, many people are falling fatally ill for common conditions that could potentially be treated. The fact is that accessing appropriate healthcare is still enormously challenging without a fixed address - particularly for long-term condition management.
Funds from events like Simon’s Big Sleep Out help our outreach team support our service users with things like making and attending appointments and accessing the right medications for their conditions.
Because in 2024, there are over 100,000 homeless children in the UK
In 2024, we now the highest number of children experiencing homelessness that there has ever been in this country. With numbers reaching over 140,000, this is a 15% increase on 2023.
Record numbers of these children are now in temporary, unstable accommodation - effecting every aspect of their lives, from their development, their relationships and their education.
We won’t stop until we’ve made the difference we want to see to homelessness in Leeds and Bradford. We’re grateful for any kind of support you can give at this time.
Just because it’s too late to register for this year’s Sleep Out doesn’t mean you can’t make a difference. You can donate directly to Simon on the Streets now.