OMS spend the night in carpark to raise awareness for homelessness
Four members of the OMS team, a provider of health and safety training and consultancy services, swapped their warm beds for a night sleeping outdoors on Thursday 5 November, taking part in Sleep Out to Help Out in support of Falcon Support Services.
Braving the November temperatures, the team spent the night in the OMS car park in Coalville to raise awareness of homelessness and help raise funds for charity supporting people without a safe place to call home.
But the experience was about much more than enduring the cold.
As one team member reflected before the challenge:
"We're all just a bad decision away from being homeless ourselves, so we need to do what we can, when we can."
Before settling down for the night, another colleague spoke about the comfort and security we often take for granted:
"How do you feel settling into your own bed at night?
I think you feel safe, secure, all the things you should feel in today's society. So tonight hopefully we'll not feel those things and get a real appreciation for what we actually have."
A Long, Cold Night
As temperatures dropped, the reality of sleeping outdoors quickly became apparent.
From the hard ground and freezing feet to the constant interruptions from surrounding noises, getting comfortable proved almost impossible.
"Every noise makes you twitch and turn and you can't relax," explained one participant.
When asked how much sleep they managed, another admitted:
"Not much, around two hours. It was so cold and it was the noise."
For others, the biggest challenge was simply trying to stay warm and comfortable.
"My feet were freezing, which was keeping me awake, but also trying to get comfortable."
A Different Perspective on Homelessness
By morning, the experience had left a lasting impression.
Asked whether the challenge had changed their perception of homelessness, one colleague explained:
"It's amplified it – every noise, every draught and wind. They don't have the luxury of heading home to warm up with a warm shower like we do."
The team hopes their experience will encourage others to think about the difficulties faced by people experiencing homelessness, particularly during the winter months.
As one participant put it, they hope people take away:
"A better understanding of the struggles homeless people face from the freezing cold temperatures of winter."
While one night outdoors cannot replicate the ongoing uncertainty and challenges of homelessness, it offered the team a powerful reminder of the importance of safety, warmth and somewhere to call home.
OMS is incredibly proud of our four colleagues for taking on this challenge and helping to raise awareness of such an important issue.
The OMS team is aiming to raise funds for Falcon Support Services, helping the charity continue its vital work supporting people experiencing homelessness.
Every donation, however big or small, is greatly appreciated.
Thank you to everyone who has supported, donated or shared our fundraising challenge.
