Vinnies Community Sleepout 2025

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JOIN THE FIGHT AGAINST HOMELESSNESS

UniSA and University of Adelaide are coming together on Thursday 21 August to raise important funds and awareness for the most vulnerable people in our local community.

Homelessness is a growing problem; more people than ever are turning to Vinnies for help. With your support they can continue to provide a hand up, not just a handout, to assist thousands of people experiencing homelessness every night.
 
By choosing to sleep out for one night, you can experience just a small part of what those facing homelessness and disadvantage do each and every day. So swap out your comfy beds and home-cooked meals for a night and help make a difference in the lives of those who don't get to make that choice.
 

» Register for the Sleepout and start fundraising today!


Thursday 21 August

6.00pm start

City East Plaza



DID YOU KNOW?

$15 can pay for a day's meals for a family struggling to put food on the table. 

$30 can provide someone a bed for a night in a Vinnies crisis accommodation service. 

$50 can help pay the rent for someone who can't quite make ends meet.

$300 can help someone pay for vital medication who may go otherwise without.



Your support will go towards Vinnies Services in South Australia, providing vital access to food, clothing, and financial assistance to locals experiencing or facing homelessness in the loca
l community.

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FAQs

Event details

On the night, there will be special guest speakers to help inform you of the issues surrounding homelessness in South Australia and beyond.

You’ll get a hot supper and be able to warm up with a hot chocolate, tea or coffee, before setting up your “bed” for the night on the Plaza.

In the morning you’ll get a snack and hot drink before you head off.

Dinner, snacks, and warm beverages will be provided throughout the night. Here's what you need to bring yourselves:

  • A cardboard box or yoga mat to sleep on
  • A sleeping bag (this will suit you best if it’s rated for low temperatures, and accompanied by a pillow!)
  • A toiletries bag, complete with toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Any medication you require (e.g. your asthma puffer)

If you’re not able to sleep out, there are a number of other ways you can help:  

  • Encourage your friends to participate by sharing the event on social media.
  • Donate to the Vinnies Community Sleepout page, or one of your friend's or friend's team's pages, to support the cause for Vinnies SA.
  • Ask any of your friends who are participating how you can help them to spread the word and fundraise.

We will be sleeping within university grounds, with staff and campus security on location.

Regardless of the weather the event will go ahead. (This is an experiential event designed to introduce you to what it’s like to sleep rough. There will however be shelter should it rain.)

Registration and fundraising

Yes, if you are a UniSA student.

Anyone under the age of 18 will need to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at the Sleepout. 

Fundraising is strongly encouraged as every dollar raised will help Vinnies provide essential services to people experiencing homelessness.

You can check out our fundraising tips for some help on how to get started. It can be as easy as donating $10, $20, or $30 yourself to demonstrate your commitment, and then sharing on social media and/or via email with your friends, family, and colleagues – you’ll be surprised at how many people are willing to support this worthy cause!

Regardless of how much money you raise, we still encourage you to attend the event.

Yes! Those who raise more than $300 will go in the draw to win a Deluxe Swag to sleep in on the night and take home, valued at $500. Anyone who raises at least $10 will also receive a Vinnies beanie. 

General info

You can participate if you are a student or staff at the University of Adelaide. Unfortunately this event is not open for the general public outside of the UniSA and University of Adelaide community. 

No, unfortunately you are unable to bring animals to the event (with the exception of legal assistance animals).

While we acknowledge that many people experiencing homelessness have pets, to ensure the safety of all participants at this event animals are not permitted.

If you’re not able to sleep out, there are a number of other ways you can help:  

  • Encourage your friends to participate by sharing the event on social media.
  • Donate to the Vinnies Community Sleepout page, or one of your friend's or friend's team's pages, to support the cause for Vinnies SA.
  • Ask any of your friends who are participating how you can help them to spread the word and fundraise.