On Friday 18th November, 9 staff and some of their families attended a sleepout for Roundabout, the South Yorkshire youth homeless charity.
Sleep Out is an annual event run by Roundabout, a South Yorkshire youth homelessness charity. The event is run every year, with 2022 being the tenth year people have joined together to raise money and awareness for youth homelessness. The event can never truly replicate what it is like for young people across South Yorkshire who are homeless but it offers a small insight into the realities they are faced with, and the money Roundabout raise helps to make a real difference in the lives of young people.
At eight o'clock, nine of the Sheffield office and some family members joined 60 other like-minded fundraisers at Meadowhall carpark. We were met by Emily Bush, Roundabout’s event organiser, whose high spirit immediately got us all enthused and looking forward to the evening. Upon arrival, we were lucky to have hot drinks, food and even live music from Alastair Gordon, a Sheffield-based folk and blues musician.
After we’d sorted our sleeping bags and settled in for the night, we heard from young people who wanted to share their stories with us. Hearing what they have been through and how Roundabout has helped them touched all of us and was a stark reminder of the importance of Roundabout and all the work they do to support over 350 young people daily.
As well as providing accommodation for young people across South Yorkshire, Roundabout’s services include developing long-term independent living skills and supporting them with their health, education, employment and training needs.
The relationship between Fletchers Waste Management and Roundabout goes back several years and has included Bangers and Cash, Ride London 100-mile cycle and abseiling down one of Sheffield’s tallest buildings.
Completing the Sleep Out was eye-opening to all who attended and cemented the importance of supporting the charity and its amazing work locally. We can’t wait to hear the final total raised by everyone at the event, which was already over £18,000.00 on the night!
Fletchers Waste Management Managing Director Gavin Leverett comments:
“I am very passionate about supporting Roundabout and the work they do locally for young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. I'm proud that the whole business joins me in getting involved with events like the sleep out. The charity does amazing work, and supporting them now after such a hard time since Covid is vital for them to continue giving vulnerable young people a brighter future and help end youth homelessness."
If you'd like to donate, you still can via this link - https://www.justgiving.com/team/fletcherssleepout
