On November 12, local residents are being invited to spend the night bedded down between the Eden Project's Biomes for the annual Sleep Out, raising vital funds for local homelessness charities St Petrocs and the Amber Foundation.
The event comes as the Prime Minister has pledged to offer every person sleeping rough in England a route off the streets by Christmas, backed by £442 million in funding and modelled on the "Everyone In" approach used during the pandemic.
Organisers say that national attention makes this year's Sleep Out more relevant than ever, as charities providing support for people experiencing homelessness continue to struggle to meet needs amid rising costs.
Now, with the onset of darker evenings and colder weather in the run-up to Christmas, Eden’s Sleep Out puts the spotlight on the issue in Cornwall and invites people to support fundraising if they can. The event acts as a reminder that this is just one night, compared to seemingly endless nights for those who experience rough sleeping.
Throughout the evening, participants will take part in cookery workshops with Eden's chefs to prepare their own dinner, before settling in for an evening of live music, readings and talks from people with direct experience of homelessness. Breakfast is provided the next morning, bringing the Sleep Out to a close.
Organisers say this year's Sleep Out comes at a critical time, with UK Government figures serving as a stark reminder of the worsening homelessness crisis across Cornwall and the South West. These figures show that rough sleeping across the region has climbed by 11% in the past year, with a sharp 94% rise among 18-to-25-year-olds – at a time when the same age group has seen numbers fall by 7% nationally.
Research from Amber Foundation shows an even bleaker picture for the South West. Fewer are assessed for homelessness support in this region than anywhere else in England.
The Sleep Out has been part of Eden’s calendar for over a decade, growing out of the charity's long-standing focus on supporting communities across the UK worst affected by social, climate and health inequalities.
Last year, more than 80 people took on the challenge, raising in excess of £17,000 between them. Taken together with every Sleep Out since it began in 2014, the event has now raised more than £100,000 for homelessness charities operating in the region. These vital funds have supported thousands of South West residents with housing and support, with long-lasting positive results for the region.
As the Eden Project marks its 25th anniversary, Sleep Out reflects the charity's long-standing commitment to helping people and places thrive. Local efforts sit alongside national initiatives including The Big Lunch and Big Help Out that this year saw 15 million people meet, eat together and lend a hand in their communities.
Nature: Connections and Recovery launched in 2026 to deliver six place-based programmes in Gwent, Liverpool, Dundee, St Austell, Morecambe and Belfast with a new national campaign that aims to improve the health of people and planet by increasing nature connectedness.
Eden Project’s home and local community in Cornwall remain central to the charity's work. Initiatives such as the annual Cornwall Christmas Fair, which raised £68,000 for local charities in 2025, and Sleep Out demonstrate Eden’s unwavering commitment to delivering a positive impact in the county.
Since the last Sleep Out, St Petrocs has worked with 1,504 individuals, including providing a place to stay at St Petrocs House for 317 people, preventing almost 200 people from sleeping rough, and supporting over 1,000 individuals through its resource centre and outreach teams.
The Amber Foundation found that among the 18–30-year-olds it supports, 86 per cent developed the skills and confidence to live independently, and 82 per cent said their time at Amber changed them for the better.
Dan James, development director at the Eden Project, said: "We’re proud to be hosting the Sleep Out at the Eden Project once again, in support of the Amber Foundation and St Petrocs, whose work makes a real difference to people in need across the region.
“The Sleep Out is always a memorable and moving evening, and we’d encourage anyone who’d like to take part to register now. Whether you’re joining us for the first time or returning, your support will help these two charities continue their vital work."
Henry Meacock, chief executive of St Petrocs, said: "This has been a significant year for St Petrocs. As we mark 40 years of supporting people experiencing homelessness, we have opened five new properties across Cornwall this year. This has increased our capacity by 20 people, more than a 10 per cent increase, enabling us to offer 186 people safe, secure accommodation.
“We all want to see a future where nobody has to sleep rough and the commitment to get everyone in by Christmas is a welcome step towards that. But a safe place to stay is only the start. Many people need ongoing support to move out of homelessness and build a more secure future.
“That is why the Eden Sleep Out is so important. It raises awareness and vital funds to help us provide the accommodation and support people need to move beyond homelessness for good. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported this wonderful event over the years and to those willing to brave the cold this autumn.”
Becky Fry, fundraising and communications manager at the Amber Foundation, said: “We are delighted to be involved in the Eden Sleep Out again. It is always such a special event and raises much-needed funds and awareness of homelessness at a time of year when things get even tougher for those with no choice but to sleep rough.
“We are so grateful to everyone who has supported this event over the years and hope to see many returners and new faces at the event this year. We’d like to say a special thanks to the team at Eden for hosting this event and for all their hard work each year putting it together.”
