11 September 2026 - Salvos Sleepout shines a light on women’s homelessness in Brisbane
Brisbane, QLD - Queenslanders are being encouraged to swap their bed for a sleeping bag on Friday 11 September and take part in the Salvos Sleepout, raising vital funds and awareness for women experiencing homelessness across Brisbane.
Held at the Brisbane Showgrounds, the Salvos Sleepout challenges participants to spend a night outdoors while learning more about the realities faced by women experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity. Funds raised will support The Salvation Army's Brisbane City Women's Homelessness Service, which provides accommodation, case management, advocacy, financial assistance, counselling and other practical supports.
Women can experience homelessness for many reasons, including domestic and family violence, relationship breakdown, financial hardship and a lack of affordable housing. The Salvation Army sees these challenges every day through its frontline services.
One woman recently supported by Salvation Army services is Emily, a mother of three young boys who fled domestic violence and became homeless after police removed her and her children from an unsafe home. "Being removed from our home by police was an extremely difficult experience," Emily said. "The amount of support we have received from the community since then has been incredible."
With support from the Salvation Army Brisbane City Homelessness service and other community agencies, Emily was able to secure safe housing, keep her children in school and begin rebuilding her family's life.
"The most significant change is we now have a home, its given us safety and security again,” Emily said. “The process was frightening because there was so much uncertainty, but the support we've received has been incredible. I've gained confidence, I'm rebuilding trust in people, and I now know I'm not alone. I feel blessed every day.”
Brisbane City Women's Homelessness Service Team Leader Giang Nguyen said the Brisbane Salvos Sleepout provides an opportunity for the community to make a tangible difference in the lives of women experiencing homelessness.
"More than 122,400 people across Australia are living without a safe, secure and affordable home. This includes people sleeping rough, living in cars, staying in shelters or on other people's couches, and in unsuitable housing," Ms Nguyen said. "The Salvation Army is one of the largest providers of homelessness services in Australia. We see situations like Emily's, and so many others, every day, and we believe this should not be anyone's reality. We believe everyone deserves a stable home where they can develop relationships, belong to a community and thrive. We have certainly seen that in Emily’ future. We believe in good and we believe we can end homelessness, for good. If you share this vision, then partner with us and join the Salvos Sleepout to help make it a reality."
Salvos Sleepout participants will hear directly from people with lived experience, have their questions answered from our panel of frontline homelessness professionals, connect with others who are passionate about tackling homelessness and help raise much-needed funds to directly support women and women-led families facing homelessness in Brisbane.
Event details
What: Salvos Sleepout Brisbane 2026
When: Friday 11 September 2026
Where: Brisbane Showgrounds, Bowen Hills
Register: https://sleepout.qld.salvationarmy.org.au/
ENDS
For more information and interview requests with Emily, please contact Rendle Williams, Qld External Communications Manager, 0425 242 789, [email protected]
