On Friday 6 March 2026, YMCA Norfolk will host Sleep Easy 2026, a powerful overnight fundraising event designed to shine a light on youth homelessness. For one night, participants will leave their warm beds to sleep under the stars, so they can experience a glimpse of life without a safe roof over their heads.
What Is Sleep Easy?
Sleep Easy is an annual YMCA-run nationwide challenge first launched in 2010. Since then, over 8,000 people across England and Wales have taken part, raising more than £1.7 million to fund vital local services.
At its core, Sleep Easy is about solidarity and awareness. Participants are not only fundraising, but also getting a tangible sense of the harsh conditions people experiencing homelessness endure nightly. In Norfolk alone, last year’s event included over 30 participants who braved the cold—all to support the 240 vulnerable young people YMCA Norfolk helps every night.
Why This Matters: The Homelessness Crisis in Context
Recent statistics paint a stark picture of the UK’s homelessness crisis:
- On a single autumn night in 2024, 4,667 people were recorded sleeping rough in England—a 20% increase from the previous year, and 91% higher than in 2021.
- Across the UK, an estimated 1 in every 200 households is facing homelessness through rough sleeping or temporary accommodation.
- More than 100,000 households in England were living in temporary accommodation as of late 2024, including 164,000 children, a 16% increase year-on-year.
These numbers reveal homelessness as not just a personal tragedy, but a deep social crisis. Young people, especially those escaping family breakdowns or mental health challenges, are among the most vulnerable.
The Norfolk Impact
In Norfolk, YMCA provides immediate relief and long-term support to 240 young people every night, offering services like:
- Emergency accommodation
- Counselling and mental health support
- Life coaching and employment guidance
Last year alone:
- 368 young people were accommodated
- 584 accessed counselling through YMCA’s therapeutic services
- 4,198 one-to-one support sessions were delivered
The funds raised through Sleep Easy go directly into these programmes supporting young people right here in Norfolk.
How to Take Part
- Sign up for Sleep Easy 2026 via the button below.
- Fundraise and spread the word to friends, family, and colleagues.
- Sleep rough on 6 March at Norfolk’s Community Hub—or host your own local version of Sleep Easy.
- Share your experience to raise awareness and encourage others to join.
A Night That Changes Lives
Sleep Easy is more than a fundraiser. It’s a moment of empathy, a catalyst for change, and a bridge between comfort and crisis. It reminds us that even one cold night without shelter can fracture a young life—and that together, we can bridge the gap.
Join us in Norfolk on 6 March to swap comfort for compassion—for just one night, so others don’t have to go without every night. Your presence, your voice, and your support make all the difference.
👉 Find out more and sign up today at – YMCA NORFOLK SLEEP EASY 2026 | YMCA Norfolk (Powered by Donorbox)