On 6 March 2026, residents and local teams in Northampton will take part in the Northampton Hope Centre’s Big Sleep Out at Sixfields Stadium to raise money for people without a home. The event, organised by the Northampton Hope Centre, will fund essential services such as hot food, showers and health workshops.
The 2026 Sleep Out carries the official theme “Cold and Unseen” and challenges participants to spend 12 hours outdoors — from 7:00 PM on Friday 6 March to 7:00 AM on Saturday 7 March — using only a sleeping bag and a simple cardboard or plastic shelter. The campaign draws attention to hidden homelessness, including people sofa surfing or living in unsuitable temporary accommodation.
This is the first major fundraiser run under the charity’s new chief executive, Jo Prichard, who took up the post effective 1 December 2025. The event comes as the Hope Centre is experiencing sharply increased demand for support: the charity has said daily registrations have risen to roughly 45–60 people as a new normal, and winter shelter reporting has at times recorded up to 75 people seeking help each day.
The money raised will help fill gaps in local provision after other support organisations — notably the Northampton Association for Accommodation for Single Homeless (NAASH) — closed following a funding dispute, increasing pressure on remaining services. The Hope Centre works with West Northamptonshire Council and other partners to provide a safety net for vulnerable residents as housing pressures grow.
Residents, community groups and businesses can sign up through the Hope Centre’s website and raise sponsorship to support the charity’s services. Organisers ask participants to take part with only a sleeping bag and a simple cardboard or plastic shelter; tents and other camping equipment are not in keeping with the challenge.
The funds raised will support the Hope Centre’s Oasis House day centre and front-line services that help people off the streets and into longer-term accommodation.
