Balloon's Sleep Out Success: Building Happier Communities One Night at a Time.
At Balloon, our commitment to caring for the community is an integral part of our identity. Recently, we embarked on the Centerpoint’s Sleep Out challenge as a team, demonstrating our determination to contribute to building happier and healthier communities.
Our participation in the Sleep Out challenge, held on Thursday, November 23rd, 2023, at the Oval Cricket Ground, aimed to raise funds for Centrepoint, a UK charity dedicated to providing homeless young people with shelter, support, and opportunities for education and employment.
Although the Sleep Out doesn’t fully replicate the experience of sleeping rough, it provided us with a glimpse into the challenging situations many young people face daily. By sacrificing the comfort of our beds for one night and opting for a sleeping bag on the floor, we sought to gain a deeper understanding of the hardships endured by homeless youth.
Now, as we reflect on the event, we want to express our gratitude for the support and donations received thus far. With one more week left to contribute, we appreciate everyone who has supported our cause. Find below quotes from our team members who participated, providing insights into their experiences during the Sleep Out challenge.
Thank you for standing with us in support of Centrepoint’s mission to end youth homelessness. Your generosity is making a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need.
Craig Powell
“The sleepout gave me an insight to what it is like to sleep on the streets. The talks from Centrepoint clients and psychologists were even more insightful. I would recommend anyone who has a warm, safe place to sleep to give it a try and help raise awareness for such an important cause”
Joe Jessener
“I’m proud to be able to say that I took part in the 2023 Centrepoint Sleepout, as well as organising a company quiz night in order to raise funds for such a worthwhile cause! Apart from the obvious cold, I realised how much I take having a mattress to sleep on for granted, as trying to find a position to sleep in on hard concrete kept me up half the night! Centrepoint made a great event of the night with many poignant talks and exhibitions – listening to recorded phone conversations between their operators and young people in crisis has really stayed with me since then.”
Jeremy Nelson
“Sleeping out with Centrepoint was a real eye-opener. As difficult the challenge was it was a chance to get a glimpse of what some people face every day. It’s not just about the discomfort; it’s about seeing things from a different angle. A simple night taught me more than I expected about empathy, gratitude, and the little things we take for granted.”
Zarin Kamali
“Centrepoint Sleep Out – a night without the usual comforts, but a lesson in empathy and a reminder of the challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness. Sometimes, it takes a simple experience to spark a desire for change. Struggled on streets, Grateful for sheets.”
Ondrej Pribyl
“Sleeping out on tarmac was definitely an experience, though, surrounded by colleagues and a big crowd, far from the scary environment someone on the street would be in. Hearing first-hand accounts of the reality of youth homelessness really made us want to make a difference.“
Milan Logman
“Participating in the Centrepoint Sleepout proved to be an even more challenging experience than I had anticipated. The following night, as I returned to the comfort of my bed, I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. It brought into perspective the unimaginable difficulties faced by those who sleep rough, especially considering the limited resources they have.
The Centrepoint team deserves commendation for their efforts in raising awareness about youth homelessness. The various stands and activities organised during the night were impactful. Additionally, I am very proud of the collective fundraising efforts by everyone at Balloon One which produced a substantial amount for this important cause. Overall, it was a meaningful and eye-opening experience that highlighted the urgency of addressing the issue of homelessness among young people.”
Paul Woods
“The Sleep Out was a unique experience that gave us a taste of what it’s like to sleep rough. It wasn’t the most comfortable night, but it made us appreciate the small things. More than anything, it was a chance to connect, share stories. Reflecting on our Sleep Out experience, we are even more inspired to support Centrepoint’s mission and be a part of the solution to create lasting change for young lives in need.”
Josh Podwysocki
“It was a great but unpleasant experience. I woke up multiple times throughout the night – but not from the cold – because of back and shoulder pain from the concrete. The talks and activities held by Centrepoint were very engaging and it was very eye-opening hearing from the experience of some of the people that had used Centrepoint’s services.”
Tarik Daley-Ward
“After my experience with Centrepoint’s sleep-out event, this has really opened up my eyes to the hardships and challenges young homeless people face daily. I know that the one night i experienced is only a small taste and that anyone is only one step away from being in the same positions thousands are currently facing.
If you can donate anything to this great cause, no matter the amount you could be the reason to change someone’s life for the better.”
Jessica McCaig
“The Centrepoint Sleep Out was a challenging experience, spending a night outdoors with minimal comforts. It brought a sense of shared solidarity among the team, fostering conversations about privilege and the harsh realities of homelessness. It was a transformative night that left a lasting impact, motivating a desire to contribute to solutions for homelessness. I hope our one night of discomfort can help many young people facing these harsh realities. “
Sitara Duggal
“Sleeping out with Centrepoint was eye-opening. Cold night, warm hearts. We swapped comfort for cardboard, luxury for a sleeping bag. In the simplicity of that night, I found a new appreciation for the little things and a reminder that empathy goes a long way. It’s not just about surviving the night; it’s about understanding, connecting, and maybe even making the world a bit kinder, one night at a time.”
Mikail Mohamed
“On the 19th of November 2023, I joined Balloon in a sleepout event for the charity CenterPoint where they focus on helping those who are homeless. Leading up to the event, I was nervous of what it would be like to sleep ‘homeless’, even if it was just for a night along with shelter.
The night before, I packed all my ‘necessities’ and it made me realise the essentials I would need for just a night, let alone having no home every day. Surprisingly, the night went very smooth with the leading events awakening me to the various stories and situations that causes one to become homeless. The most challenging part was sleeping on the cold, hard ground, and we were lucky to have steady weather with no rain or winds. Although I had a sleeping bag, layers of clothes, and people around me, I could not find myself to get comfortable throughout the night. But in my mind, it was fine, as I would be returning to my normal life the morning after. This is something I sometimes take for granted and once I got home, I appreciated the small things more, such as my pillow and a warm bed.
Although the atmosphere was uplifting and it felt good to see many people together for the same goal, it made me think of those who have no one else to depend on in such difficult times. Having that support and environment around me almost made me forget why we were all there and made the experience seem quicker. Along with the physical struggle, I can only imagine the mental struggle being homeless has on one’s mind.
I would recommend everyone who can to try this experience at least once, as it enlightened me on the matter. Being outside of your comfort zone, allows you to have a completely new perspective and makes you appreciate the “little” things we take for granted every day. Please continue to donate to this cause and help tackle homelessness.”