Kat Sowden is taking part in the CEO Sleepout

I’ve signed up to the CEO Sleepout to experience what homelessness is really like; to understand how people deal with the vulnerability, the boredom, the cold – to understand how anyone could see this as their best option.  Anna Beaumont, one of Persona’s Non Executive Directors, suggested it to me and while I’m looking forward to the personal challenge, I’m also looking forward to the opportunity to connect with other CEO’s who care about social issues.

I am apprehensive about the sleepout; I don’t deal well with the cold and even have trouble sleeping on a plane, so it will be an experience I’m hoping will increase my understanding and appreciation of how people who find themselves homeless feel. I’m hoping I will gain insight as well as helping to raise awareness of the issue and raise funds to help fight homelessness and poverty in Manchester.

I haven’t really thought about how I will deal with my day job the day after; the sleepout finishes at 6am, just in time for the school run, so I think the rest of the day will involve a lot of tea, biscuits and toast with marmalade; not a healthy day, but I’m sure the buzz will carry me through to an early night – in my own bed,  which I’m sure I’ll be even more grateful for.

Kat Sowden

If you'd like to support Kat in her CEO Sleepout challenge, you can visit her JustGiving page to donate by clicking here.