The Big Skipton Sleep Out will support both Action for Children Guernsey and Caritas Guernsey when the community fundraising event returns in 2027.
Created by Skipton International, the event brings islanders together for one night to raise funds and awareness for people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity in Guernsey.
Action for Children works with young people under 25, while Caritas Guernsey supports adults aged 25 to 55.
Action for Children’s Guernsey Youth & Housing Project supports young people under 25 who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of losing a safe place to stay. Its services include emergency accommodation, mediation, mentoring, independent living support, and help with education and employment.
Caritas Guernsey, which supports adults aged 25 to 55, will continue as a beneficiary of the event. The charity currently provides accommodation through its pods and is developing a modular housing community to offer secure homes and ongoing support for people experiencing homelessness.
Susan Fouquier, Chief Executive Officer of Skipton International, said: “A safe and secure home gives people the foundation from which to build their lives. As a bank that helps people achieve their property ambitions, we understand the importance of having that security and the impact when it is missing.
“Caritas Guernsey and Action for Children address homelessness in different but complementary ways. Their work ranges from helping young people avoid homelessness and prepare for independent living, to creating secure homes and providing longer-term support for people experiencing homelessness.
“Supporting both charities through the 2027 event will allow The Big Skipton Sleep Out to help people with different needs and circumstances. We would encourage businesses, community groups, friends, and families to start thinking about entering a team and joining us for what we hope will be our biggest Sleep Out yet.”
Aaron Davies, Children’s Services Manager at Action for Children Guernsey, said: “Early support can make a significant difference for a young person who is at risk of homelessness or has nowhere safe to stay.
“Becoming a beneficiary of The Big Skipton Sleep Out will help us continue providing practical and emotional support tailored to the needs of young people in Guernsey. It will also help raise awareness of youth homelessness, why it happens, and the support available to help prevent it.
“We look forward to working with Skipton International and Caritas Guernsey ahead of the 2027 event.”
Graham Merfield, Chair of Caritas Guernsey, said: “Homelessness is a complex issue that no single organisation can address alone. Action for Children’s work to support young people and prevent homelessness complements our plans to provide secure accommodation and an ongoing support network for people who need help to move forward.
“The Big Skipton Sleep Out has already generated significant support for our work. We welcome Action for Children as a beneficiary and look forward to building on the event’s impact together in 2027.”
