Ever wondered what it’s like to survive the freezing temperatures of a Sheffield winter without shelter? The Archer Project’s latest installation gives you the chance to find out – for a few minutes, at least. This Saturday, 12th October, visitors are invited to step inside a fridge trailer set at -3 degrees on Sheffield Cathedral’s forecourt, highlighting the harsh realities often faced by people sleeping rough on the city’s streets.
The event, running from 1-8pm, forms part of the charity’s winter campaign to raise awareness about homelessness and encourage support for their most challenging time of the year. Curated by creative marketing agency Black Eye Project, the experience is not meant to replicate every aspect of rough sleeping, but it does give a small taste of what it’s like to endure brutal winter conditions without a home.
“Winter is the worst time to be experiencing homelessness. We want as many people as possible to get a glimpse into how bad it can get being on the street during the upcoming months,” said Joe Logan, Fundraising Manager for The Archer Project.
Archer Project Communications Officer, Talya Stitcher adds: “The Fridge Trailer doesn’t seek to replicate the true conditions of rough sleeping; we know that temperature alone does not reflect the experience of being on the street at night without a home. There are so many factors missing here – fear, hunger, exhaustion, loneliness, rain, wind, noise… It’s hard to explain just how brutal rough sleeping can be, whether it’s for one night or many years.
“We hope this small snapshot, into what people experiencing homelessness are facing, will be memorable, and encourage support at a time where The Project needs donations more than ever.”
The Archer Project is currently busier than its ever been in its 30-plus years of service. With the number of people registered as homeless with Sheffield City Council at an all-time high, the charity is struggling to meet demand. In 2023, The Archer Project supported over 1,100 individuals and served more than 20,000 meals – a number expected to rise to over 28,000 by the end of 2024. With no government funding, they rely entirely on individual donors and local businesses to continue providing essential care and life-saving services.
For more information on what they do and how you can support the Archer Project, head to www.archerproject.org.uk.
