A student sleepover was recently held at a Liverpool Catholic arts college to raise money for The Whitechapel Centre, a prominent homeless and housing charity in Liverpool.

60 pupils from Year 7 headed to St John Bosco Arts College in Croxteth for the sleepover, where they participated in activities and discussions around homelessness.

To help students gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by those sleeping rough across the city, they were tasked with building dens out of carboard boxes, a tough reality homeless people face in order to keep sheltered and warm in the cold months.

An on-site soup kitchen was set up, especially for the event, so students could experience the type of meals homeless people have access to.

Throughout the sleepover, pupils and staff spoke widely about homelessness, including the struggles, the dangers, and the ways to support those who do not have a home or the resources to escape unfortunate living situations.

Pupils even completed an interactive exercise that presented them with a real-life scenario. In groups, pupils were allocated a certain amount of fake money and had to budget the money to purchase items, replicating the real-life situations faced by people who are homeless.

This discussion was amplified by the visit of a guest speaker from The Whitechapel Centre, who informed students about homelessness in Liverpool, moving stories about people they have supported, and the vital work that the charity does.

Earlier this month, it was reported that the number of long-term rough sleepers across the city has risen by more than 40% in the last two years.

The Whitechapel Centre is a Liverpool-based homeless and housing charity that provides support to rough sleepers, people living in temporary accommodation and those at risk of becoming homeless, 365 days a year.

Students were encouraged to bring a monetary donation to the sleepover, with over £180 raised so far. Fundraising is ongoing, and the school expects to receive more donations towards this fantastic cause.

The money will help support those sleeping rough, provide necessary items for those in need, education for local individuals, and more.

Mrs Tomkins, head of RE and Catholic life and organiser of the event, said: “The sleepover was a wonderful opportunity for our students to put their faith into action. As a Catholic college, everything we do is rooted in gospel values and Catholic teachings. We are called to serve the poorest within our community and to ‘Love our Neighbour’.”

Headteacher of St John Bosco, Mr Darren Gidman, said: “This is our second Salesian sleepover here at St John Bosco Arts College in aid of the homeless. The event was an opportunity for our students to learn more about homelessness and raise vital funds for The Whitechapel Centre. Students had a fantastic time and were eager to learn more about how they could help.

“The winter period presents the greatest health risks to those who are homeless or sleeping rough and it is so important that as a community we come together to support those people and ensure their safety.

“At St John Bosco Arts College, we value love and hope, and we believe that it is important to show this not only in our school community but the wider community too; we must take care of one another.”

St John Bosco Arts College is located in Croxteth, Liverpool. The college is an exciting, vibrant and dynamic girls’ Catholic comprehensive school with a proud Salesian ethos.