What one night on the pavement taught me about human connection
When something makes us uncomfortable, our instinct is to move it out of sight. But that sends a message: you don’t belong here.
I joined industry peers to swap beds for bitumen as part of the Oasis Sleepout, raising funds and awareness for the Salvation Army and their critical work supporting people experiencing homelessness, hardship, and crisis.
It was just one night. And we had warm sleeping bags, safety in numbers, access to a toilet, and the knowledge that we’d have a roof over our heads in the morning. But that brief window into someone else’s reality cracked open something deeper – a shift in perspective.
We talk a lot in our industry about creating meaningful human experiences. But too often, we design for comfort and convenience, forgetting the many people who are just trying to survive. It’s easy to forget how much we take for granted – structure, dignity, connection, hope – until we’re forced to notice their absence.
One of the biggest takeaways? The quiet harm of being unseen. The subtle message we send when we look away. It’s a slow erosion of confidence that makes people ask: Is it just me? Am I the problem?
But the night wasn’t just sobering, it was inspiring. We met incredible people from The Beacon and Salvos who show up every day to make a difference, despite every challenge. And we proved that when our industry comes together, we can make real impact. Not long ago, it took a ballroom and a media auction to raise $80k. This week we raised $60k in a car park.
We can’t solve homelessness in one night. But we can help shift the conversation, open our eyes, and lend our support.
Hope is a powerful thing, no one should have to struggle alone.
If you’d like to help, you can donate to the Salvation Army. Every dollar makes a difference.
Thank you to the Oasis Committee and the Salvation Army for organising the sleepout, taking such good care of us, and teaching us more than a night’s sleep ever could.
