Community
13 July, 2026
Vinnies sleepout to shine light on growing hardship in Southern Highlands
Southern Highlands residents are being encouraged to spend a night under the stars next month as part of the Vinnies NSW Community Sleepout, helping raise funds and awareness for people experiencing homelessness and financial hardship.
Vinnies sleepout to shine light on growing hardship in Southern Highlands
Southern Highlands residents are being encouraged to spend a night under the stars next month as part of the Vinnies NSW Community Sleepout, helping raise funds and awareness for people experiencing homelessness and financial hardship.
The Southern Highlands sleepout will be held on Friday, 28 August, at the St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Parish Primary School in Bowral, with participants joining communities across NSW in support of the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW.
The event comes as demand for assistance continues to grow.
More than 600 people sought help from Vinnies in the Southern Highlands over the past year, with more than one in four requesting assistance for the first time. Around half of those seeking support were experiencing housing stress.
Money raised from the event will stay in the Southern Highlands, helping fund financial and material assistance provided through local Vinnies Support Centres.
St Vincent de Paul Society NSW Regional Director South Solange Frost said the event was about bringing the community together while highlighting the challenges many local families face.
"The Vinnies NSW Community Sleepout is an important opportunity to bring our community together, raise awareness of the challenges facing many people across the Southern Highlands, and support the vital work the Society NSW does every day," she said.
"A growing number of people are facing hardship, which is why we encourage everyone to donate and get involved next month. We know one night outdoors can never replicate the experience of homelessness, but it provides an opportunity to reflect on the challenges many people face every day and to stand in solidarity with those doing it tough."
Last year's Southern Highlands Community Sleepout attracted more than 230 participants and raised more than $13,000 to support Vinnies' work in the region.
St Vincent de Paul Society NSW State President Peter Houweling said housing insecurity and cost-of-living pressures were continuing to drive demand for assistance across the state.
"We continue to see firsthand the growing impact of housing stress and hardship in communities across NSW," he said.
"Our frontline services and members continue to report growing demand for support as housing insecurity and cost-of-living pressures impact more Australians."
He said having a secure place to live was fundamental to a person's wellbeing.
"Having a secure and stable place to live impacts so many aspects of a person's life – their education, employment, health and quality of life – and is vital to shaping communities where people can belong."
"The Vinnies NSW Community Sleepout lasts for just one night, but the funds raised help provide support, dignity and hope throughout the year for people who need it most."
Community members, businesses, schools and community organisations are invited to take part or make a donation. Registrations and donations can be made at vinnies.org.au/communitysleepout.
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