As winter tightens its grip, tens of men from Wolverhampton are preparing to battle the cold, wind and rain by spending 24 hours on the streets of the city to raise awareness of male homelessness.
The annual Mandem Meetup Sleepout, which is now entering its fifth year, is hoping to raise more than £20,000 to support the mental health charity’s important work, including peer-to-peer groups and a host of mindfulness and physical activities, such as a ‘work in, work out’ programme, hiking up the Wrekin in Shropshire, boxing, football and wild camping. It has become a vital fundraising event and plays a key role in highlighting the often-unseen struggles of men in crisis.
According to recent estimates, 83% of people living on the street are male, a stark reminder of the disproportionate impact homelessness has on men and the urgent need for tailored support services. “For many, homelessness is deeply entangled with mental health difficulties, social isolation, and lack of access to safe, consistent support,” explained Christian Denton, Lead Facilitator of Mandem Meet-up Wolverhampton.
“Last year, the Sleepout raised an astonishing £20,000 and we want to go even bigger this year. We’ve got lots of exciting plans to offer more connections, more safer places and, importantly, more hope to people who might otherwise slip through the cracks.”
To meet growing demand for mental health and crisis support, the Mandem team is encouraging communities nationwide to get involved in several ways. Individuals can still join the Sleepout in Wolverhampton, which will start at 8am on Saturday November 29th, with the meeting point being the Man on the Horse in Queen Square.
You can also host your own sleepout in the workplace, school or neighbourhood to spark conversations and, finally, you can share or donate to the crowdfunder. Christian concluded: “Every year this movement grows and every year we are reminded how many men feel forgotten or unseen.
“The Sleepout isn’t just about raising money, it’s about showing up!”
