Features / homelessness
6 events taking place during Bristol’s Homeless Awareness Week
News towards the end of last year that one in every 170 Bristol residents is homeless shocked many, and also revealed the full scale of the issue facing charities who are at the sharp end, having to provide more facilities and services on ever more stretched budgets.
Bristol’s Homeless Awareness Week, organised by Bristol Homeless Forum, will be running from February 24 to March 3 2018. It aims to not only raise much-needed funds for the charities working tirelessly to offer practical help to the growing number of rough sleepers in Bristol, but also to raise awareness of the issue as a whole.
Get involved in the campaign by attending some of these great events:
is needed now More than ever
Sunday, February 25: I Am Not Lost, city centre
Returning for its third year, Keep Bristol Warm are inviting everyone to take part in its campaign to keep Bristol’s homeless population warm in the winter months.
They want people to attach scarves and other warm accessories to lampposts across the city for people to collect and be given to those who need them most.
Find out more: www.facebook.com/events/344824219254491
Monday, February 26: Homelessness Forum theatre production with Sleeping Rough film premiere, Watershed
Still from the film Rough Sleepers by local filmmaker Owain Astles
Watershed will host this evening of theatre, film and a Q&A relating to the topics of homelessness and mental health. The evening will start with an interactive performance by Forum Theatre, devised entirely by young people who have first-hand experience of homelessness and mental health problems and inspired by their own experiences.
This will be followed by a screening of the feature length docudrama Rough Sleepers, and will conclude with a panel Q&A featuring representatives from Julian Trust, Bristol City Council, Avon & Somerset Police and St Mungo’s, amongst others.
Find out more and book tickets for the theatre performance and film screening.
Monday, February 26-Thursday, March 1: Art4Change Exhibition, The Vestibules
Art4change are a charity that aim to give disadvantaged sections of the community the chance to gain skills and confidence by creating and displaying artwork that is personal to them and draws attention to a wide range of social issues.
This exhibition, in one of City Hall’s Vestibules, focuses on the strong link between mental health issues and homelessness. It will be open from midday to 3pm daily.
Park Street Vestibule, City Hall, Bristol, BS1 5TR
Monday, February 26-Thursday, March 1: Homeless People, The Vestibules
This exhibition uses art to delve beyond the ‘homeless’ label and explore the mix of people that are affected by the issue. The focal point of the exhibition is entitled ‘Who Am I?’ and is a collaborative piece made by all the artists involved to express who they are as individuals.
The exhibition was put together by Bristol Pathway and features works by current and former residents of the Salvation Army and Second Step. The exhibition will be open from 10am-4pm at the Deanery Road Vestibule.
Deanery Road Vestibule, City Hall, College Green, Bristol, BS1 5TR
Friday, March 2: Volunteering information event, Cabot Circus
St Mungo’s will be offering a free information day for anyone interested in finding out more about the charity and potentially volunteering in one of their various roles.
The charity is also asking people to donate pairs of new, warm socks for people sleeping out in the cold.
Doors will be be open from 10am-4pm.
Between HSBC and Fossil, George White Street, Cabot Circus
For the latest volunteering opportunities, visit www.mungos.org/get- involved/volunteer/current- volunteering-opportunities/
Friday, March 2: The Bristol Sleep Out, Pip ‘n’ Jay Church
A scene from a previous Bristol Sleep Out
This event proved a huge success last year, as 150 participants between them raised a staggering £60,000. The event is held in the grounds of Pip ‘n’ Jay Church on Tower Hill and offers participants the chance to gain a brief glimpse of the discomfort and hardships faced by the thousands of rough sleepers up and down the country on a daily basis, all the while raising money for local charities.
For further information, visit www.bigissue.org.uk/event/bristol-sleep-out
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