Scouts spend night living in a box to help homeless
SCOUTS from Welland Valley and Market Harborough Troops spent a Friday night in January sleeping rough to find out just what it feels like and the challenges of homelessness.
In all, 18 Scouts braved the cold and wet outside Medbourne village with nothing more than cardboard boxes as makeshift shelters.
They could make themselves supper - but with only a kettle and limited foodstuffs - to help them appreciate how it is for someone who has fallen on hard times and may be given some temporary accommodation.
Scouting ambassador Ed Stafford was on hand to give the Scouts tips on keeping warm while sleeping rough, using his experience on the streets and of his adventures trekking through the Amazon.
Ed said: “I just think it’s great that we can get young people thinking about challenging issues like homelessness.
“By building these cardboard shelters and spending the night in them, it really helps the Scouts put themselves into others’ shoes. By taking part in our social action campaign, A Million Hands, the young people can get to grips with the big issues facing society, while learning skills for life.”
Some of the Scouts involved said the experience had opened their eyes to homelessness.
Mollie, aged 10, said: “This activity has made us really think about how hard life is for homeless people.
“You would feel very alone, and be worried about how to keep warm, stay safe and find food.”
Joseph, 11, said: “I think if you were homeless, you’d feel scared, and feel bad about people looking down on you.
“Sleeping on cold concrete is not fun at all, but Ed has shown us how to stay warm. This has made us realise that some people have to put up with this every night. We can certainly manage one night.”
The sleepover helped to raise funds for homelessness charity Crisis
and, as the Scouts move further into this community impact challenge, they will be finding out about and supporting the work of Jubilee Food Bank in Market Harborough.
Debbie Billington, lead volunteer for Harborough district, said: “We are enhancing young people’s understanding of the many factors that contribute to homelessness, and showing them how they can help end the problem for good.
“Homelessness isn’t inevitable. With the right solutions in place we can build a fairer society, where no one is without a safe home to call their own.”
Creating opportunities for young people to develop social skills, independence and form friendships is central to scouting philosophy and has long term positive impact on young people’s lives.”