About Big SleepOut

The principle behind the St Basils Big SleepOut is simple; People volunteering to 'roughing it' for a night so that sponorship money can be raised to help prevent homelessness. This event is not an exercise in 'what it's like to be homeless', it is a fundraising event that also helps raise the awareness of homeless issues to the wider community.

Date: The St Basils Big SleepOut takes place on first Friday in December at the St Basils car park, (Digbeth), which is in the heart of Birmingham's Art Quarter.

Location: St Basils car park, Allcock Street, Digbeth, Birmingham B9 4DY.

Times: The event starts at 6pm and goes on all throught the night until 6am the next morning. Entry to the event is from 6pm to 10pm on the Friday evening. No addmission is allowed after this time unless prearangement with the Big SleepOut Team. You may leave at any point during the night, so you should bring money for a taxi or have alternative transportation arranged, just in case you do wish to leave.

Facilities: There is a canteen open from 6pm until 11.30pm serving hot food and drinks. Bring plenty of £1 and 50p coins. Free Breakfast (toast, tea & coffee) starts at 4.30am the next moring. There are male, female and disabled toilet available throughout the night.
Award: In the morning every one gets a Certificate of Acheivement. You will have earnt it!

Entertainment: Cool sounds are played from our resident DJ from 6pm until midnight.

There is also a presentation from the young people of St Basils, inside the main building during the evening, which explains what St Basils does and why we need your financial support.

Sleeping equipment: We provide you with a large cardboard box and a matress sized plastic bag for your dwelling on the night, but we strongly advise you come wrapped up in lots of warm water proof clothing.

It's cold but it's fun!

Bring anything with you that will help you have a more comfortable sleep, like sleeping bags, blankets, more cardboard and plastic sheeting. You will be 'sleeping rough' in the middle of winter.

No dogs are allowed at this event.

Age requirement: You must be over 18 years of age or accompanied by an adult. (1 adult to 3 children). The minimum age for participation is 12.

Lights Out & Quiet is at 1pm. No excessive noise after this time will be tolerated. Keep conversation quite.

Behaviour: Unruly behaviour, the presence of alcohol or drug taking are not tolerated at this event and the organisers reserve the right to ask anyone to leave the site if they break any of these notices. Security is constantly patroling all areas throughout the night.