Sleep out helps to comfort homeless

Manjimup residents braved the cold weather on August 9 night to sleep outside as a way to raise awareness of homelessness.

About 15 people participated in the Manjimup Sleep Out, taking shelter underneath the Manjimup Farmer’s Market roof on Mottram Street.

Organiser Donna Masters said she put the event together because she worked closely with people who were homeless through her job as Manjimup Emergency Accommodation manager.

“This is about raising awareness in the community about homelessness,” she said.

It is the first time a sleep out has been held in Manjimup.

The event started at 6.30pm and finished at 9am on Saturday.

Throughout the evening, participants played games and learnt statistics around homelessness.

“Being Homelessness Week, it was a good time to hold the sleep out,” Ms Masters said.

“There are 9000 homeless people each night in WA.”

Ms Masters said she hoped to hold the Manjimup Sleep Out every year.

“I hope to get more of the community involved in following years,” she said.

In addition to homelessness, Homelessness Week also raised awareness of secondary homelessness, such as couch-surfing and being unable to afford food.

Donations made during the Manjimup Sleep Out will go to the Manjimup Emergency Accommodation program.

To support the program, drop off non-perishable food and sanitary products at trolleys at Coles, Woolworths and Community Resource Centres in Bridgetown, Manjimup and Pemberton.

“All of that goes to clients in the community,” Ms Masters said.