Youth homelessness must not be invisible says Evercreech councillor
For the second year, people braved a very wet cold night in November to bed down for the Rec Sleep Out event.
Among those attending the Bath Rugby Foundation event at Bath Rugby's ground was the Mendip district councillor Barry O'Leary from Evercreech.
Flat-pack boxes, flasks and three or four layers of clothing and a bag were what people had to protect themselves from the elements, as they spent a night under the stars for a mini-taster of what street homelessness might be like.
The camaraderie was infectious from the off as participants were all reminded of the reasons for gathering together.
This was as much about raising awareness and having an impact on people as it was about raising money.
Everybody knew that it was nowhere near as bad as being street homeless. But when the lights go out, and you're alone in your cardboard box with a sleeping bag and (hopefully) a woolly hat, you could suddenly feel very alone and very vulnerable.
It wasn't a comfy night's sleep, because it wasn't meant to be.
Those of us that toss and turn would have limbs aching from resting on the hard ground. A few may have struggled in the cold.
A few had to get up in the early hours to use the toilet, which is far worse when you're stepping into the dead of a November night.
Barry said: "The point is, it's such a vivid experience – both physically and emotionally – that I hope it drives people on to make more noise, take more action and draw more people into the campaign against homelessness.
"So many street homeless people become invisible, the dehumanisation that they face from every angle is intolerable when confronted."
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