Patron: The Hon Mrs Elizabeth d’Erlanger DL

Dear Sofa-Surfers / Garden Campers - thank you for joining in with

CHAT’sBig Sleep-Outon 29September 2017.

At CHAT we work hard to prevent homelessness through free, impartial advice and support.

We believe that everyone is entitled to decent, secure and affordable housing: somewhere to call ‘home’.

CHAT operates a deposit-guarantee scheme,which helps those with no other resources to raise the deposit for a new tenancy. We also give out emergency provisions and donated items, and have a discretionary hardship fund.

CHAT has been operating in Mid Devon since 1995 so we’re 22 this year! In the current economic climate, the need for CHAT’s work is increasing and, with funding cuts, so is our need for finance.

Why take part?

  1. Raise awareness of housing needs in Mid Devon
  2. A memorable experience that will help you empathise with those forced to sleep-rough or sofa-surf
  3. Raise money for CHAT (Churches Housing Action Team)

Sofa-surfing – sleeping in a friend’s house as a temporary measure - is a hidden problem in Mid Devon and is quite common among young people. A sizable proportion of young people are asked to leave home every year due to over-crowding, ending of state benefits to parents, or family-breakdown. If the young person is over 18, except in exceptional circumstances, the Local Authority has no statutory duty to house them; many turn to sofa-surfing to keep a roof over their heads.

What to do on September29: You could sleep on your sitting room floor, invite friends round to sleep downstairs at your house or go round to a friend’s. Think about when you want start and end times to be and how and if you will feed people – some Big Sleep-Out organisers will be providing hot drinks and soup for their participants and you might wish to do something similar.

Garden-Campers – occasionally, usually in better weather, people with no permanent home may choose to camp in a friend’s garden or anywhere they can find that feels safe. CHAT gave out tents, sleeping bags and bedding on nearly 50 occasions last year.

What to do on September29: This option is great for Primary School-aged children. Like the Sofa-Surfers, you will need to consider the logistics of your evening – start and finish times, food and drink and also access to toilets. Each camper will need to bring their own equipment – tent, sleeping bag, groundsheet, mat/air-bed, pillow, blankets, warm and waterproof clothes, wellies, torch. With this age group we recommend a ratio of 1 adult: 3 children.

Thank you for your participation in the Big Sleep-Out. Any questions, contact Ruth on 01884 250914

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Ruth Morley, Community Development Officer

Churches Housing Action Team (Mid Devon) LimitedCompany Limited by Guarantee - Registered in England No. 03096996 Registered Office: 28 Gold Street, Tiverton, Devon EX16 6PY

Registered Charity No.1049478