Staff from Denbighshire-based housing association, ClwydAlyn, who slept outside on the night of 30thJanuary in solidarity with over 13,000 homeless households in Wales, have raised almost £3,000 to support homeless services.
ClwydAlyn’s twelfth annual ‘Big Sleepout’ brought together colleagues from across the organisation along with several other local associations, their families, and friends, to sleep outside overnight. Originally scheduled to go ahead in October 2025, the event had to be postponed due to Storm Amy.
Organised by Lynda Williams, supported living manager at ClwydAlyn, the Big Sleep Out aims to increase awareness of people experiencing homelessness, stand in allyship with those people who regularly sleep on the streets and to raise vital funds to support the provision of homeless support services.
The event took place at Silver Birch Golf Club, in Abergele, with remote participants from across the region joining in from their garden or shed.
Homelessness in Wales is at record levels, with the most recent figures showing that over 13,500 households in Wales are currently assessed as homeless. There are almost 11,000 people living in temporary accommodation.
Individuals or families may experience homelessness for a combination of reasons, which could include eviction by their landlord, job loss, mental or physical ill health, relationship difficulties or disasters such as fires or flooding.
Big Sleep Out organiser Lynda said: “There are over 13,000 households experiencing homelessness across our country. This includes people sleeping rough, those in unsuitable or temporary accommodation, people who are squatting, or living with family or friends because they have no home of their own.
“Behind the statistics there are real people facing fear, uncertainty and insecurity; struggling daily without a home of their own. Everyone deserves a safe, secure, warm home; that is the crucial message which we hope the Big Sleep Out will highlight.”
“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who took part in the Big Sleep Out and to all the people and organisations who have donated.”
Huge thanks also went to DHL for generously match-funding the amount raised; doubling the impact of every donation. Meaning that the total amount raised will be close to £6,000 so far!
All money raised goes directly towards funding ClwydAlyn’s homeless services, which provide dedicated teams to help and support people to move forward in their lives.
