A dedicated group of Monmouthshire Housing Association (MHA) staff took part in Llamau’s annual Sleep Out on Thursday 9th October, spending the night outdoors to raise awareness and funds to help end homelessness in Wales.
The event, organised by the charity Llamau, challenges participants to give up their beds for one night in a show of solidarity with people who are homeless or at risk. This year’s Sleep Out saw fundraisers across Wales come together, raising an incredible £20,000 in support of Llamau’s life-changing work.
Llamau is a leading Welsh charity that supports young people and women who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Each year, the organisation helps thousands of people across Wales find safe accommodation, gain skills for independent living and rebuild their confidence through education, training, and employment opportunities.
According to recent figures, more than 13,500 households in Wales were assessed as homeless in between April 2023 and March 2024 – an 8 per cent increase on the previous year. With homelessness and housing insecurity continuing to have such a massive impact on communities in Wales, events like this one are more important than ever.
Sian Nicholas, Head of Neighbourhoods at MHA, who took part in the event, said:
The Sleep Out was a powerful reminder of the challenges faced by young people experiencing homelessness. Waking up on World Homelessness Day and World Mental Health Day made it even more meaningful.
I’m proud that as a team we were able to raise funds and awareness to support youth helplines, which for some young people are a vital lifeline. Well done to everyone at MHA who came together to make a difference.
Sian has also been raising additional funds for Llamau by running a sweepstake among staff for the currently airing Celebrity Traitors TV show, and so far, she has helped raise £560.
Gwyndaf Tobias, MHA’s CEO, who also participated, added:
Spending the night at the Sleep Out was a sobering reminder of the challenges faced by people facing homelessness. It was moving to see how our small actions can raise funds and awareness for Llamau, whose work truly makes a difference in the lives of vulnerable young people.
