Charity of the Month: The Benjamin Foundation

Leathes Prior is thrilled to be supporting The Benjamin Foundation as our Charity of the Month for November and to have participated in their annual flagship fundraising event, Sleep Out 2025. Founded in 1994, The Benjamin Foundation began as a small youth outreach project in North Norfolk and has since grown into one of East Anglia’s leading charities, dedicated to tackling youth homelessness. Their work is guided by the needs of people in Norfolk and Suffolk, delivering vital services such as Early Years education, family support, emotional wellbeing, and mental health care.

What is The Benjamin Foundation’s mission?

The Benjamin Foundation’s mission is to ensure that everyone they support is safe, independent, and able to thrive throughout their lives. This is achieved through their initiatives to provide easily accessible support services that are tailored to everyone’s needs, regardless of where they live. The Benjamin Foundation aims to positively impact lives in the most important way to every individual, and to build on their positive qualities and characteristics, by focusing on their inner strengths and aspirations.

How do they help young people?

In 2024 alone:

• they provided 60,000+ safe nights
• 42,000+ hours of housing support provided
• 350 young people were prevented from being homeless

And since its inception in 2015, the Sleep Out event has raised over £300,000+ to support young people.

Sleep Out 2025:

Last Friday Night (7 November), Leathes Prior took part in The Benjamin Foundation's 10th anniversary of 'Sleep Out' held in The Cloisters at Norwich Cathedral, where individuals volunteer to spend one night sleeping outside to raise awareness of youth homelessness. Team LP, along with all taking part, slept outside with a sleeping bag, yoga mat, and cardboard, giving participants both a glimpse of the challenges homeless people may face and an opportunity to fundraise for a great cause.

All money raised from the event goes towards The Benjamin Foundation Sleep Out Fund, which can be accessed by young people in their housing services, giving young people the ability to access new opportunities and pursue their passions.

Rhiannon Bond shared, "It was a brilliant event run by the Benjamin Foundation, whilst they provided some comforts to make the event enjoyable, sleeping outside was a real challenge, and gave the smallest glimpse into the challenges those who are homeless face. Being sleep deprived was difficult, but we were in a safe environment with facilities and help on hand should we need it. I can't imagine what it is like for those who face this reality every day. If you are considering taking part next year, I recommend it; it was an eye-opening experience, but much more enjoyable to experience with colleagues, whilst raising funds for the charity."

If you would like to sponsor Team LP, you can still make a donation via our Just Giving page here.

How can I support The Benjamin Foundation?

If you would like to support The Benjamin Foundation, there are lots of ways to get involved, including:

• Get involved in events, like Sleep Out, which is a great team experience and a fantastic way to raise money for the charity whilst raising awareness for youth homelessness.
• Provide support through corporate partnerships.
• Host your own fundraising activities, such as a bake sale or sponsored challenge, to raise money as a team or individually.

Head to the Benjamin Foundation website to learn more about the ways you can support the charity.