Diwali Basket Brigade
This month, St Basils was proud to attend the Diwali Basket Brigade’s annual event, which brings people and organisations together to support those in need across our communities.
Diwali, the Festival of Lights, celebrates the victory of light over darkness and good over adversity, which are values that resonate with our mission to help young people overcome homelessness. Young people and others in our community received baskets filled with essentials, treats, and a candle – a reminder of light during challenging times.
For the past eight years, Deepak Parekh and his team at the Diwali Basket Brigade have supported St Basils through their generosity and commitment.
Thank you to everyone involved for continuing this much-loved tradition in service of others.
Supported Lodgings Week
From Saturday 9 to Saturday 16 November, we’ll be marking Supported Lodgings Week. It’s a time to celebrate the amazing Hosts who open their homes to young people and help them build confidence and independence, as well as spreading awareness of this vital support system for the younger people in our care.
One young person, Anastasia, told us:
“Barbara (my host) provided a comforting atmosphere and I could go to her if I had any problems… Overall, I want to share that Barbara was an incredible host. She is a great woman and I am really glad I was put with her. She has been life changing.”*
Stories like this show just how much difference a supportive home environment can make.
Keep an eye on our social media and website throughout the week – we’ll be sharing real experiences and insights from young people and Hosts. You could be inspired to become a Host, or, by liking, sharing, or commenting, you could help inspire someone else to become a Host and make a life-changing difference.
University Celebrations
We’re incredibly proud of the young people we work with, whose determination and resilience never fail to inspire us. For many, getting to university isn’t just an academic milestone but a sign of hope and stability for the future.
University is such an important time for young people to grow, explore their independence, and discover who they want to be. Seeing them take that step, often after overcoming so much, reminds us why we do what we do at St Basils.
We couldn’t be prouder of Grace who wrote us this letter about her acceptance into university to become a P.E. teacher. Go and be the best P.E. Teacher ever, Grace! We are rooting for you.
Text for visually impaired / screen readers:
I first heard about St Basils through the school, when my teachers became aware of some safeguarding concerns, and my Head of Sixth Form knew of St Basils because as a school we donated to them at Christmas time – I was supported by teachers to move into St Basils. I reached out for help because I knew I needed to leave my family home to improve my mental health.
St Basils gave me lots of support such as giving me a place to live where I could feel safe and have stability. They helped me in gaining confidence to finish my A-levels and get into University. They supported me with settling in and I feel as if I have built a relationship with all the staff here and I know they would listen to me and help me in any way they can. This made a difference to my life because I am now much happier than I was and they made it possible for me to go to University.
The biggest change in my life since being supported by St Basils is that my mental health has improved massively, and I feel happy and settled in life, and I feel safe where I am living.
When I was accepted into University, I felt very happy, excited and nervous. Then I also felt so relieved that I had managed to get into University despite having lots of disruption in my life at such a crucial time.
35 Years of Sleepout – Watch the Video
Since 1990, the Big Sleepout has been St Basils’ flagship fundraising event, bringing together hundreds of incredible people every year to raise vital funds and awareness for youth homelessness in the West Midlands.
On Friday 28th November 2025, we’re celebrating the 35th Big Sleepout- and we’d love for you to be part of it!
Expect live entertainment, free hot drinks and vegan food, and a presentation from our CEO, as well as prizes and surprises. Check out our video to get an idea of what the event will feel like!
Sign up is FREE– join our community fundraising event this year to help us spread awareness and raise funds to help local young people at risk of homelessness.
Friday 28th November 2025
Millennium Point: 6pm – 6am
Wear it Red
Capsticks LLP and staff at Yardley Primary School have kept St Basils in their thoughts this October by Wearing it Red!
Capsticks got together to wear red and host a bake sale (inclusive of red velvet cake, of course) as part of their continuing support to our charity.
And staff at Yardley Primary School wore red and chose St Basils as their charity focus, teaching pupils about the important work we do for young people experiencing homelessness. Pupils subsequently collected an enormous amount of harvest donations to support those in need.
Thank you both for spreading awareness and donating vital funds and goods to our young people.
Birmingham 24 Hour Run
We’re thrilled to share that the second edition of The Birmingham 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness took place successfully on Saturday 18th October, and has raised up to an incredible £2,000 so far for St Basils and our neighbours, SIFA Fireside.
A huge thank you to UoB Cool Runnings (@uobcoolrunnings) for hosting this amazing event and providing all of the incredible run leaders, and to Ethyon Cafe in Brum for welcoming everyone and making the event possible.
A further thank you to every single participant and donor for this amazing initiative – your support will make a real difference to young people and adults experiencing homelessness in Birmingham.
Everyone is welcome to take part in this tag-team event around the city, so keep your eyes peeled for next year. Even our Head of Fundraising and Community Fundraiser took on a lap!
Christmas Chalet
We are delighted to announce that once again, we have a Chalet at this year’s Birmingham German Market on Weds 12th, Thurs 13th and Fri 14th November.
Come and buy cards designed by our young people, buy a pre-wrapped gift as a stocking filler, or find out more about what we do at this beloved Birmingham tradition.
Donations are welcome, but not necessary – come and play games and share some festive cheer with our staff!