A Night for Change raises over £16,000

The Aylesbury community sleep out is set raise at least £16,000 for the Aylesbury Homeless Action Group (AHAG).

43 people from across Aylesbury and the surrounding area spent the night sleeping outside at The Stables, Waddesdon Manor, raising over £16,000 for Aylesbury Homeless Action Group (AHAG) — funds that will go directly towards supporting local people facing homelessness, during an evening that was as cold as it was memorable.

A Night for Change, the first event of this kind for the charity, held on 11 September in partnership with The Rothschild Foundation, brought together community supporters of all ages for an overnight experience, designed not to replicate homelessness, but to stand in solidarity with those who have no choice but to face it.

Participants built their own shelters from cardboard and basic materials, ate jacket potatoes around a fire, took part in team challenges, heard real stories from people AHAG have supported, told by the staff who know them. Then they slept out under what turned out to be a stunning, clear September sky. Many participants reported being kept awake not by the cold, but by the sounds of the animals roaming Waddesdon's surrounding parkland and woods.

One young participant wrote the following morning: "I now understand that homelessness is much more than simply seeing people sleeping on the street" — words echoed by many written on the morning reflection cards collected at sunrise.

The response from those who took part was extraordinary. Participants spoke of "strangers coming together and forming a sense of community", of a "thoughtful blend of activities, reflection and socialising", and of being genuinely moved by the real-life stories shared by AHAG staff. One attendee described it simply as "a night of moments, connections and the elements."

For AHAG, whose services are currently under greater pressure than at any point in the organisation's history, the night was about far more than the money raised.

Ruth Mayhew, Fundraising Officer at AHAG, said: "What happened last Friday night was something really special. People who had never met before built shelters together, shared stories and sat under the stars and asked themselves hard questions which we usually avoid, such as what really causes homelessness and what is the best thing to do to help?”

Honor Fitzgerald, Operations Manager at AHAG continues, “We have been blown away by the extraordinary fundraising efforts and personal determination of everyone who chose to spend the night outside and by the generosity of the Rothschild Foundation for their unwavering support. This one night of discomfort will help literally hundreds of people remain in their homes this winter.”

Ellie Stout, Director of Grants at the Rothschild Foundation, said:  “The Rothschild Foundation's Charity of the Year is an opportunity to amplify the exceptional commitment of our local charities and to raise awareness for important causes. A Night for Change exemplified AHAG's thoughtful approach to helping us understand the complexities of homelessness, and the collective contribution we can make towards ending homelessness in our communities.  We thank all those who gave their time and effort.”

Pippa Shirley, Director of Waddesdon, commented: “I am very pleased that we were able to host A Night for Change in the Stables Courtyard at the Manor. Whilst we were all aware that a single night in such protected circumstances cannot even approach the lived experience of homelessness, for those of us staff and volunteers that took part it was a powerful and timely insight into the challenges for people for whom it is a daily reality. We are very grateful to AHAG for helping us to build our understanding, and proud to be working with them as our Charity of the Year on such an important cause.”

After the huge success of this inaugural event, A Night for Change is planned to return in 2027. The event will move to a new location each year, bringing the cause to new communities and audiences across the region. Anyone interested in taking part, volunteering, or finding out more about AHAG's work is encouraged to get in touch at info@ahag.org.uk or visit www.ahag.org.uk (external site).