FAQs

Check out our guide to hosting the ultimate Couch Project sleepover! If you’re helping your school or church group host a super sleepover, you can also download an editable poster to plaster over every wall(with permission, of course…).

Absolutely! Don’t just sleep on your couch all on your lonesome. Gather your mates or siblings and make it a party. Theme it as a movie marathon, games night or bake off.

Yes! When you raise more than $300 you will receive an exclusive Couch Project T-shirt. Once you’ve reached your target simply fill out this form and we will send you one!

Follow the links from thecouchproject.com.au to create your fundraising page.

Funds raised through The Couch Project will help The Salvation Army deliver their programs to youth experiencing homelessness. You can choose to support all our youth programs or direct your fundraising to a specific Salvo youth centre.

Here’s a few tangible ways your donations can make a difference:

• $10 helps provide a warm, nutritious meal for a young person experiencing homelessness.
• $28 helps children at risk of homelessness through an after-school program.
• $107 will help provide a day’s worth of support to someone looking for long-term accommodation.

Check out our handy resources so you can make the most of your social networks. Yep, we’ve done the work for you! We’ve created photos and posts for you to use on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. And make sure you use #notasleepover when sharing your content.

• There are over 44,000 young people under 25 in Australia without a home.¹
• 42% of Australia’s homeless population are young people (under the age of 25).¹

See our fact sheet or visit Homelessness Australia for more info.

• We don't see many young people sleeping on the streets, because of the 44,000+ young Aussies experiencing homelessness, just 1342 – or 3% -- are sleeping "rough" (on the street, in tents or in improvised dwellings).¹
• The remaining 97% are less noticeable because they are sleeping in other people’s homes (e.g. on couches), in boarding houses or in severely crowded dwellings.¹

There are many reasons why young people leave home, but in most cases this is outside of their control. Some common reasons include:

• Housing crises
• Domestic/family violence
• Inadequate or inappropriate dwelling conditions
• Relationship/family breakdown
• Exiting custodial arangements²

The Salvation Army operates many programs around Australia that help young people at risk of, or who are experiencing, homelessness. Each year, we help about 3000 young people through our youth support services (in NSW, Queensland and the ACT). We understand the solution is not limited to a meal, bed and roof overhead for a night. Our holistic model of care involves working with young people to help them find long-term solutions and build a brighter future. Our services focus on promoting safety, teaching life skills (some programs offer education or training opportunities) and empowering young people to make positive choices.

If someone you know needs help you can use our search tool to find their closest Salvation Army youth service.

24/7 Personal Support

If you’re after some advice or someone safe to talk to, here’s a few numbers you can call. The best thing to do is ask for help, and you can remain anonymous.

• beyondblue–1300 22 4636
• Kids Helpline–1800 55 1800
• 1800Respect–1800 737 732

If you need help you can use our search tool to find their closest Salvation Army youth service.

24/7 Personal Support

If you’re after some advice or someone safe to talk to, here’s a few numbers you can call. The best thing to do is ask for help, and you can remain anonymous.

• beyondblue–1300 22 4636
• Kids Helpline–1800 55 1800
• 1800Respect – 1800 737 732