The annual sleepout in Molineux is back to raise money and awareness of homelessness and to help vulnerable people across the city.
The event sees participants camp out at Molineux Stadium. It aims to provide an insight into what homeless people go through every night but helps raise money to support them.
It is run by the Wolves Foundation and The Good Shepherd who provide support for people in need across Wolverhampton.
Around 250 participants braved the challenging conditions, made more extreme as Storm Claudia hit the country.
WLV News spoke to participants ahead of the event.
“It’s giving people the insight of what it’s really like. We just have to deal with what we got tonight. I got my cardboard here so I’ll be all good.”
Michael, Molineux Sleepout participant
“I’ve done it the last few years, I like the friendly atmopshere. I think you don’t realise how bad it is and this makes you aware of the situation of homelessness.”
Nicky, participant
“I’m looking forward to it, I like being outdoors. I got a sleeping bag, a mat and some cardboard let’s hope we will get through the night.”
Chris, participant for the sleepout
“I’m excited for tonight, there’s a good bunch of people here. I’m here on my own and I’ve already been offered to sit next to people.”
Emily, a participant for doing the sleepout
The Molineux Sleepout began in 2019, launched to raise money for homeless and vulnerable people within Wolverhampton to help the Good Shepherd and Wolves Foundation offer support.
Ambassadors for the foundation and Good Shepherd attend the event and appreciate the support the community gives.
“We’re experiencing a national homelessness and housing crisis and that’s hit Wolverhampton. It’s always been a city with amazing support but it’s a city that’s got a lot of problems as well. No one should have to sleep rough and not have a home.”
Tom Hayden, chief executive at the Good Shepherd
He talks about how the Good Shepherd provide support for people on the streets and support them into getting into accomdation and progress with their lives. And Tom sends a massive thank you to the people who supported the event.
The head of Wolves Foundation attended the sleepout and spoke about the work that they do and how the club is a crucial part of the community.
“The football club is such a powerful thing for the city. Football is real social connector wherever you live whoever you are and so we utilise our strengths and energy into good projects to help people.”
Will Clowes, Head of Wolves Foundation
Will also talked about the support they have recieved from the community “we’ve gone over 1,000 participants now in sleepouts over the last seven years.”
Warinder Juss, the local MP for Wolverhampton West has supported both of the charities and values the community spirit he spoke about how he knows “the city has it’s problems but when there’s an event like this it makes a statement that we’re together as a city, we’re united and we care for each other.”
He showed appreciation for the charities and that he values the work that they do.
Another attendee of the sleepout this year was Beverly Knight who braved the challenge of the wet and windy evening.
“We know Wolves has issues we’re not going to pretend that doesn’t exist but what it has is the biggest heart. It’s so important we recognise the work that’s being done in our home because other people won’t shout about it but we can.”
Beverly Knight
She mentioned that she attended the Gala Dinner this year and seeing the work that’s being done by the Wolves Foundation and regular people doing things for important causes. That seeing normal people giving back to the community made her want to get involved.