Homelessness comes in many forms, and Tamworth Vinnies is encouraging residents to ditch their normal beds for a night and kip on their couch, in the car, or out in the backyard.

Tamworth will host the region's first Vinnies Community Sleepout on October 23, and it will be a virtual event this year.

Director of St Vincent de Paul Society North West region, Phil Donnan, said it was important to adapt the initiative to make sure it went ahead.

"When people are experiencing sleeping rough, they are getting a small taste of what someone going through homelessness is experiencing, so it makes people a lot more supportive," he said.

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He described the homeless problem in Tamworth as a "substantial" issue.

Mr Donnan said the virtual sleepout will run a little bit like an old-style telethon, where people can tune in on Zoom.

There will be a host, a network presentation and live crosses to people in each participating location across the state, including Tamworth and Armidale.

Although the experience of a hard night is important, Mr Donnan said the event is also a fundraiser for the region, with all money donated destined to go directly to local support services.

"In Armidale we're supporting Freeman House ... and Rosalie House in Tamworth, they're both Vinnies centres that focus on assisting homelessness," Mr Donnan said.

Register for the Tamworth Vinnies Community Sleepout or donate by visiting the website.

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