Sleep Out Success

Added: 19 November 2015

Over £25,000 was raised through heart-warming community effort.

The National Sleep Out Campaign takes place every year with over 2500 people in major cities across the UK raising awareness of the growing issues around youth homelessness.  In Bristol the event was run by1625 Independent People and supported by OVO Energy.


Around 140 people, aged between 19 and 70, raised over £25,000 (and counting) to help even more local young people find a safe place to live and reboot their lives having faced homelessness.

Sleepers included OVO staff, 1625ip staff, The Lord Mayor for Bristol, Cllr Clare Campion-Smith, members of the public and corporate teams from Simitive, Foot Anstey, Neighbourly, Aztec Hotel & Spa.

The volunteers were entertained with speeches from OVO Energy, and 1625ip as well as live music. 


Dom Wood, 1625ip CEO spoke of the nigh-on impossible task faced by young people trying to move out of supported housing due to lack of affordable rented rooms and properties and why it’s so important that we work together like this to solve these problems.

Guests were visibly moved by a speech from Na Nash, an ex 1625ip service user, Youth Board Member, Peer Supporter and volunteer who experienced the sharp end of living on the street where he said he had been both completely ignored and physically abused. He said 1625ip had saved his life and helped him believe in himself.