Step Up to Break the Cycle of Homelessness: UnityMK Launches Big Sleepout & Glasswalk Challenge 2025

UnityMK is calling on the community to take bold steps to help break the cycle of homelessness in our city by participating in the UnityMK Big Sleepout & Glasswalk 2025. These two powerful and symbolic fundraising challenges highlight some of the many difficulties faced by those experiencing rough sleeping.

Register now at www.unitymk.org/news/unitymk-big-sleepout-and-glasswalk-2025 and take the first step!

Taking place on Friday 6th June at Cranswick Convenience Foods, Steinbeck Crescent, Milton Keynes, MK4 4AE, and generously supported by Cranswick for the fourth consecutive year, the event aims to raise critical funds to help individuals who face or experience homelessness in our city.

Don’t miss your chance to make a real difference. Sign up today and be part of a transformative night that brings our community together in solidarity and support.

The Challenges Participants can choose from one or both inspirational experiences:

• The Glasswalk – Friday, 6th June: Walk barefoot across broken glass in a safe, professionally guided environment. Led by expert facilitators from UK Firewalk, this challenge is a profound exercise in courage and mental resilience.

• The Big Sleepout – Friday, 6th June to Saturday, 7th June: Swap the comfort of home for a night sleeping rough in a car park. Participants will gain an eye-opening glimpse into the harsh conditions faced by people experiencing homelessness.

Who Can Join

• Glasswalk: Open to ages 12+ (under 18s must be accompanied by a parent/guardian).

• Sleepout: Recommended for ages 12+, with all under-18s to be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times. Participants must be physically able to sleep outside.

What to Bring

• Glasswalk: Comfortable clothing and easily removable shoes.

• Sleepout: Warm clothing, sleeping bag, gloves, hat, torch. Cardboard provided.

Schedule

• 6:30 PM – First Glasswalk session (for Glasswalk-only participants)

• 7:30 PM – Second Glasswalk session (for The Big Sleepout participants)

• 8:30 PM – Meet & greet for The Big Sleepout

• 9:30 PM – Make camp

• 10:00 PM – Lights out

• 6:00 AM – Pack down & grab-and-go breakfast

Please note: Parking is limited. Car-sharing is encouraged.

Fundraising Goal

Sign up now! Make a difference! Each participant is asked to raise a minimum of £50, though higher fundraising is strongly encouraged to maximise the impact. Set up a JustGiving page via www.justgiving.com/campaign/unitymk-big-sleepout-and-glasswalk-2025 and share your journey on social media to rally support.

Why It Matters

“If I have to spend another night on the streets, I’m going to die’. These heart-wrenching words came from 'Liam’*, who came to our welfare centre during freezing weather last winter. Completely disorientated, he was wearing nothing but a t-shirt, a light summer jacket, trousers, and no shoes.

Without UnityMK, he simply would have had nowhere to turn and no immediate support.

Every step taken and every pound raised helps UnityMK continue its life-saving work—providing emergency shelter, support, and hope for people in crisis.

*Guest name changed to protect their identity.

UnityMK Quote

‘We are thrilled to once again be hosting our UnityMK Big Sleepout supported by Cranswick Convenience Foods. We wanted to bring a fresh twist to this year’s event, while continuing to shine a light on the growing challenges faced by the circa 200 people that we support each week. That’s why we’ve introduced something new: The Glasswalk! Guided safely by expert facilitators from UK Firewalk, this unique experience invites participants to test their limits—mentally and physically—while standing in solidarity with people who face or experience homelessness in our city.

We’d love to see as many people as possible come together to take on the challenge of The Big Sleepout, The Glasswalk, or both- so grab your friends/ family or colleagues, sign up and come join us for a night to remember! This is the biggest event in our fundraising calendar, and will raise vital funds enabling us to continue to be there for guests like ‘Liam’ when they have nowhere else to turn. And a big thank you to Cranswick for hosting the event again this year, we are truly thankful for their ongoing, generous support.’

Take challenging steps and sign up now: www.unitymk.org/news/unitymk-big-sleepout-and-glasswalk-2025

UnityMK Boilerplate

UnityMK is a charity dedicated to supporting individuals who face or experience homelessness in our city. Their mission is to break the cycle of homelessness by providing care and pathways of support, enabling people to feel valued, to connect, and to thrive.

At the heart of its work is the Unity Park Station Homelessness Centre, a hub for UnityMK’s dedicated welfare team, community groups and support agencies. Together, they support around 200 individuals each week through essential services, including the Breakfast Service for rough sleepers and a Drop-in Service for anyone in need of help. During the coldest months of the year, UnityMK run a Winter Night Shelter Service, providing 15 emergency beds that offer a safe place to sleep.

They are renovating a building in Wolverton, which will serve as both a preventative support hub and a ‘next step’ facility for guests who have already been supported into accommodation.

Find out more at www.unitymk.org