The Salvation Army calling on community to support important cause.
The Salvos Sleepout is challenging Brisbane locals to leave their home comforts for a night and learn about the challenges many women experiencing homelessness face daily.
Held on Friday 6th September at the RNA Showgrounds, the Salvos Sleepout will see locals sleep in the open to raise funds and awareness to ensure vital services for homeless women in Brisbane continue.
Brisbane local, Jodi, is one of the growing number of women who find themselves displaced and without a home. In December last year, amongst the joy of the festive season, Jodi found herself going through her hardest times.
She was staying in a refuge, when this living situation became unsafe.
“I was homeless at the time, and I was trying to find somewhere to go. I was staying at a refuge, and I was dealing with a lot of threats, and I couldn’t be there,” said Jodi.
“I was so tired, I hadn’t slept in like two weeks properly, I was so tired mentally and physically.”
Jodi sought help from the Salvation Army, who was able to place her at their crisis accommodation service, before the service was able to find her more permanent housing.
“There was a lot of up and down moments, but it also gave that stability of having somewhere safe to stay after being homeless…that was much needed, and The Salvation Army gave me a lot of care and understanding,” said Jodi.
Entering its fourth year, the Salvos Sleepout is once again challenging the community to sleep out and help raise $60,000 to support women’s homelessness services.
Giang Nguyen, Team Leader for The Salvation Army’s Brisbane City Women’s Homelessness Services, says the needs for these services is growing, with more people finding themselves homeless.
“We have supported 220 women and women led families over the last year through our crisis accommodation service. This is 25% more women and women-led families compared to the number supported the year before,” said Ms Nguyen.
Ladies Who Long Lunch are advocating for the 2024 cause and will be participating in a number of ways.
Firstly, a Ladies Who Long Lunch team has been registered on the official Salvos Sleepout fundraising website for our friends to Register and join the Team for the 6th September.
In addition to our team sleeping out, Jo and Kirsty will be assisting the event coordinators during the networking and games portion of the evening.
Anyone who’s attended Ladies Who Long Lunch events know the ladies love to entertain, engage the audience and have fun with everything that they do. And this flair and fun will surely help all of the participants get to know each other better throughout the proceedings.
All funds raised through the Salvos Sleepout will directly support The Salvation Army’s Brisbane City Women’s Homelessness Services to provide additional support and life-saving services to women experiencing homelessness.
The Salvation Army is proud to have teamed up with 96.5family radio, as the official media partner for the Salvos Sleepout this year. This partnership will help create further awareness about this important event.
To register or make a donation to the Salvos Sleepout, visit https://sleepout.qld.salvationarmy.org.au/t/ladies-who-long-lunch
What to expect at the Salvos Sleepout (Program)
We are excited to have indepth discussions with industry experts, hear testimonials from women who have experienced homelessness, as well as networking, delicious food and entertainment.
The event run sheet is found below (may change in advance of the event on Friday 6th September):
5:00pm – Check-in opens and participants can set up their sleeping arrangements
6:00pm – Welcome
6:15pm – Dinner
7:00pm – Official welcome
7:15pm – Update from Brisbane City Women’s Services
7:30pm – Testimonial Panel
8:00pm – Networking and games
10:00pm – Lights out
Photo: Jo Stevens, Founder of Quirky Habits and Host of Ladies Who Long Lunch events (left) with Kirsty Fields, Creative Director at Social Ocean and Host of Ladies Who Long Lunch events (right).
About Ladies Who Long Lunch
Created by Kirsty Fields the Creative Director of Social Ocean and Jo Stevens the Founder of Quirky Habits, the Ladies Who Long Lunch events started in 2022.
These events are not just for women still active in the work force or running an empire. They’re also for woman who recognise the importance of self-care and the social impact of spending time with others who inspire, support, and fill your cup.
In addition to running their own businesses, Hosts Kirsty and Jo both run business networking groups, and are passionate about helping women to take time for themselves to create connections both socially and professionally.
At LWLL, we firmly believe in the transformative power of women uniting to celebrate and uplift each other, thereby creating a positive impact within our community. Their long lunch events provide a unique program that brings guests together to meet and mingle, network with new and old friends, be empowered by special guests during Q&A and enjoy beautiful food in outstanding locations.
The gatherings are vibrant, leaving a meaningful imprint on the lives of women from diverse backgrounds and professions who attend.
Follow Ladies Who Long Lunch on the socials…
We respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Country across our region. We also acknowledge and pay our respects to the Kabi Kabi, Jinibara and Turrbal Traditional Custodians, and their elders past, present and emerging.
Copyright © 2026 Ladies Who Long Lunch. Website designed locally with ♥ by Social Ocean