The Big Sleep Out

Join us for this fundraising event and raise money to support our crucial work

Woolwich Works
The Fireworks Factory
11 No. 1 Street
SE18 6HD
Thu 24th Oct 2024 to Fri 25th Oct 2024
6pm to 10am

Spend the night at Woolwich Works and raise money to support our essential services for the community.

Come on your own, bring friends and family, or use the event as a teambuilding opportunity with your colleagues.

Registration is free. See ‘Guide to registration’ below for step-by-step instructions.

Register now

Please aim to raise £200 per person in sponsorship and donate it via JustGiving. You can create your own JustGiving fundraising page by clicking on the ‘Start fundraising’ button. See ‘Setting up your JustGivng fundraising page’ below for details.

Woolwich Works is a short walk from Woolwich station on the Elizabeth line, and Woolwich Arsenal station on the DLR and National Rail.

#WSUPBigSleepOut

Why take part

Because of the lack of affordable housing and the cost-of-living crisis homelessness is rising. Although rough sleeping is the most visible form of homelessness, many of our service users (guests) are sofa surfing with friends or relatives, or living in unsuitable temporary accommodation.

We’re not emulating what it’s like for people sleeping on the streets. We want to bring the community together in solidarity for those experiencing homelessness and talk about what we can do collectively to end homelessness.

Challenge yourself by doing something unusual, and encourage your friends, family and colleagues to sponsor you to show that they care and want to make a difference.

Get to know your local community and have fun. On the night there will be music and activities. You’ll have the opportunity to take part in an empowering, unforgettable firewalk barefoot over hot coals!

What the money goes towards

£200 pays for us to open our drop-in centre for a day. We offer essential services including a warm and safe community space where people in need can access hot meals, showers, haircuts, a laundry service and a clothing bank. We support people who are going through, or are at risk of, poverty, homelessness, addiction and any other life challenges. We are a non-judgmental environment and our doors are open to everyone in the borough of Greenwich who needs us. We rely on donations to fund our services.

After the event

You can choose to donate your sleeping bag and rucksack to the Back to Kindness appeal. This annual, national event, in partnership with Ministry of Sound, distributes rucksacks of much-needed supplies including food, toiletries, sleeping bags and more to homeless people.

Further details

  • We invite people who are over 18 and fit and healthy to take part in the Big Sleep Out
  • Wrap up warm and bring a sleeping bag
  • Please bring a power bank if needed as you will not be able to charge phones and other devices at the event
  • Because Woolwich Works is in a residential area, we ask that you don’t leave the event between 11pm and 6am
  • We would like this to be a sober event. You will not be able to take part in the firewalk if you are under the influence of alcohol
  • Please don’t bring your own food or drinks to the event. Light refreshments will be served, and food is available to purchase from Woolwich Works

Guide to registration

1. To sign up for the event you will need to go to the Woolwich Works website. The process takes approximately five minutes. Click on the ‘View Dates and Book button’ on the right, and then the ‘Book now’ button at the bottom of the page.

2. Enter the number of tickets you require and click ‘Continue’.

3. Check the details are correct and click ‘Check out’.

4. Enter your email address and click ‘Continue’. If you already have a Woolwich Works account you will be asked for your password.  If not, you will be asked for your first name, last name and phone number. Click ‘Continue’.

5. You will be asked to select whether you want to receive your tickets by email or collect them from the box office. Click ‘Continue’.

6. If you have any access or assistance requests please select them from the drop-down menu or select ‘No assistance needed’ and click ‘Continue’.

7. If you would like to make a donation towards Woolwich Works you can do so in the next section. Set the amount using the + and – buttons and click ‘Continue with my donation’ or ‘I do not want to donate’. Please note that donations go to Woolwich Works not WSUP.

8. If you would like to be added to the Woolwich Works mailing list and the WSUP mailing list please tick the relevant boxes. If you sign up to the WSUP mailing list we will be able to send you our quarterly enewsletter with details of news and events. Click ‘Continue’.

9. In the next section you will see your order summary. Please check the box to show that you agree to Woolwich Works’ terms and conditions. Click ‘Continue’.

10. You will receive email confirmation from Woolwich Works. If you opted to receive your tickets by email you will also receive these shortly afterwards.

Setting up your JustGivng fundraising page

1. The process takes approximately five minutes. Go to the Big Sleep Out page on JustGiving.

2. Click on Click on the ‘Start fundraising’ button on the right.

3. If you already have a JustGiving Account you will be asked for your email address to sign in. If not, click ‘Sign Up’. You will be asked for your first name, last name, email address, and to create a password. You can chose whether or not you want to receive emails from JustGiving. Click ‘Sign up’.

4. Set the amount of money that you would like to raise. We’re asking people to raise a minimum of £200. Click ‘Next’.

5. If you want to you can personalise your page by changing the title, description and URL. Click ‘Next: Page cover’.

6. Use the default image or upload your own photograph. Click ‘Next: Finalise’.

7. If you would like to be added to the WSUP mailing list please tick the box. We will be able to send you our quarterly enewsletter with details of news and events.

8. Click ‘Launch my page’. By clicking this you are agreeing to JustGiving’s terms of service and privacy policy, and are confirming you have read the Fundraising Regulator’s Guidance Notes.