Homeless people from England, Northern Ireland and the Republic of
Ireland will come together to talk about the issues that matter to
them, to share their experiences and look to the future.

Date: Thursday 23rd November
Venue: Croke Park, Dublin
Partners: Simon Community NI, Simon Communities of Ireland and Forum Housing Association, Liverpool.

Participate will launch on Saturday 25th November In The Black Box Hill Street from 11.30 am until 6 pm as it hosts an exciting and varied programme of interactive arts activities all for people who are homeless. Delivered by CHNI and member organisations, the emphasis will be on the fun and the taking part. It’s for people who may have two left feet - who may not know their Matisse from their Maltesers, but everyone will have a chance to join in and have at go at photography, drums and percussion, drawing, model making, dance, theatre workshops and graffiti art. There is also an exhibition of existing artworks by people who are homeless.

People from hostel accommodation all over Northern Ireland will be invited to take part thanks to sponsorship from Northern Bank, MovieHouse, Tesco NI and Botanic Inns. Many will have the opportunity to leave with their own artworks or photographs produced on the day, many will have discovered a new way to express themselves and enjoy a sense of achievement – all, we hope, will have had a fun day completely different to anything they have experienced before.

The venture has been planned by Council for the Homeless to coincide with Homeless Awareness Week and is coordinated by Council for the Homeless NI in partnership with member organisations such as Edward Street Hostel in Portadown and Simon Communities NI. Council for the Homeless plan to roll the project out across Northern Ireland. Participate will aim to deliver opportunities for people in temporary accommodation to engage with the arts in the widest sense of the word. In doing so they aim to provide homeless people another avenue for increasing self esteem, learning transferable skills and perhaps moving further along the path to independent living.

To find out more about ‘Participate’ and Homeless Awareness Week please contact Alison Upton at CHNI telephone 028 90246440 or email alison@chni.org.uk

 

The link between poverty and housing crisis is considerable. This
important conference will highlight a local and international
perspective on social exclusion, poverty and homelessness.

Themes will include:

• A N.I. perspective on poverty issues.
• A European perspective on poverty and homelessness.
• 40th anniversary of the Ken Loach film, Cathy Come Home
• Housing affordability issues in N.I.
• Service User perspective.
• Employment programmes in Sweden

Date: Monday 27th November
Venue: Malone House (Barnett’s Demense) Malone Road, Belfast
Partners: Simon Community NI, Council for the Homeless and Anti-Poverty Network

 

De Paul Trust Ireland will be hosting a seminar on the issues surrounding transgenerational homelessness. Looking closely at evidence they have acquired during their work with families and children. They will identify the increase in the number of young people and adults presenting as homeless in 2006, who have previously been homeless as children. By looking at the support systems in place currently for children experiencing homelessness, De Paul Trust will examine how this support can be built upon and developed in an attempt to prevent this rise becoming a prevalent cycle.

Date: Tuesday 28th November
Venue: To be confirmed
Partners: De Paul Trust

 

Money and welfare rights is an important issue for homeless people. Staff and residents have designed a handbook with funding from the Northern Bank, to help young people homeless people manage their money in the most effective way. This event will see the launch of this budgeting and Welfare Rights handbook.

Date: Wednesday 29th November
Venue: The Belfast Foyer
Partners: Simon Community NI and Northern Bank

 

The Salvation Army has refurbished Centenary House in the Centre of Belfast and will now offer crisis beds for rough sleepers. This event will mark the official launch of the centre.

Date: Thursday 30th November
Venue: To be confirmed
Partners: Salvation Army

 

The Importance of Understanding Sexuality and Sexual Identity for Vulnerable Young People.

Half of 1,000 people who presented to Simon Community last year were under 25. The event will explore the relationship between sexual identity and vulnerability to recognise the positive aspects of sexuality for young people who are vulnerable and homeless.

As well as discussing various issues relating to sexual health, it will be a fun event with input from local DJs and musicians.

Further details can be obtained or press enquires made
to any of the organisations involved
or Lisa Allison Simon Community N.I. 028 90232882

Date: Thursday 30th November PM
Venue: Auntie Annies
Partners: Family Planning Association and Simon Community NI