Hotel raises over £700 for homelessness charity through staff sleepout

A dedicated team of 13 senior managers from Edgbaston Park Hotel & Conference Centre braved the elements as part of a staff Sleepout in support of Birmingham-based homelessness charity St Basils.

Timed to coincide with Sleeptember, a month focused on the importance of sleep and its impact on wellbeing, the event highlighted the challenges faced by young people who do not have a safe place to rest each night.

So far, the initiative has raised over £700 for St Basils, which provides vital support to young people at risk of homelessness across Birmingham and the wider region.

Several of the hotel’s management team who took part are trained Mental Health First Aiders, and the activity also formed part of the hotel’s wellbeing and mental health strategy.

Richard Metcalfe, chief executive at Edgbaston Park Hotel & Conference Centre, said: “Taking part in the St Basils Sleepout is a powerful reminder of the harsh realities faced by so many young people who have no safe place to call home. As a team, we wanted to step outside of our comfort zones to raise both awareness and vital funds for a cause that’s making a real difference in our community – something that we do incredibly well at the Hotel.

“This is about more than this fundraising event – it’s about showing solidarity, inspiring action, and helping St Basils continue their essential work supporting vulnerable young people across Birmingham.”

St Basils head of Fundraising and Communications, Barrie Hodge, praised the efforts of the Edgbaston Park Hotel team: “We are so grateful to Richard and the team for their incredible support. By taking part in the Sleepout, they’ve not only raised much-needed funds but also helped shine a spotlight on the struggles that young people experiencing homelessness face every night.

“We’d love to see even more people join us for the St Basils Big Sleepout on 28 November at Millennium Point. It’s a fantastic way to stand in solidarity with young people, raise awareness, and make a real difference.”

Sign up for the Sleepout on 28 November HERE.

The fundraising total is still growing, with donations continuing to come in.

St Basils works with young people aged 16–25 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, helping them find safe accommodation and build brighter futures.

Each year the charity supports over 4,000 young people across Birmingham and the West Midlands, offering not only housing but also life skills, mental health support, and opportunities to get back into education, training, or employment.

To find out more about St Basils or to support their work, visit their website.

Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre is a contemporary hotel with 185 ensuite rooms, three serviced apartments and 11 meeting spaces, nestled in leafy Edgbaston.

Owned by University of Birmingham, the award-winning hotel offers peaceful retreats, first-class conferences, and event facilities just two miles from Birmingham city centre.

Edgbaston Park Hotel chose St Basils as their Charity of the Year 2025, demonstrating its commitment to the University’s key pillars - Sustainability, Civic and Global, and People and Culture.

Stay in the know by following the hotel on Facebook and Instagram and subscribing to the monthly newsletter.