The Mall Giant Sleepover 2008

On Saturday 8th November The Mall Arndale in Luton was invaded by members of the Luton Scout and Guide movement, aged from 6 years and upwards. The event was supported and organised by the management team of The Mall Arndale.

The reason for the invasion was for them to experience what it is like to be homeless and sleep rough. While learning about the plight of the homeless from staff of NOAH Enterprise, they have obtained pledges of sponsorship from friends and family that will go to help the homeless.

A number of activities were organised for the young people that raised their awareness about being homeless. Jim O’Connor the owner of NOAH talked to the young people about the company which ended with a small quiz. The young people also designed posters about NOAH. Another activity was about using their imagination and to write a couple of stories, one about being homeless and the other about being charge of NOAH. The final activity involved completing a big picture (collage) of the kind of service that NOAH provides to the homeless.

Later that evening the High Sheriff of Bedfordshire, Nazir Jessa, paid a visit. The High Sheriff observed the activities that the young people were doing and spoke with a few of the young people and adults. Nazir, a former Scout in Tanzania, told everyone his experience of Scouting and complemented all the adult volunteers for all the good work and the amount of their time dedicated to Scouting and Guiding. Nazir described himself “as a friend of Robin Hood and not the evil Sheriff of Nottingham�.

Members of the following groups participated in the Giant Sleepover:

Go to the Photo Gallery to see a few of the pictures.