Rosie* spoke out as the number of people at risk of or experiencing homelessness continues to climb in Northern Ireland
At 20, Rosie* now lives in a quiet, comfortable home and is planning a career in dog grooming, but two years ago her life was very different.
After a family breakdown, she moved in with a partner, and when the relationship deteriorated, she felt trapped.
Action for Children stepped in, advocating for her with the NI Housing Executive and Women’s Aid. She moved into temporary accommodation for six months and received wraparound support from Rachel*, a Young Persons Practitioner.
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Rosie* shared her story this Homelessness Awareness Week, which runs until Sunday, December 7, and brings together charities, policymakers, and statutory organisations, including the Housing Executive and local communities, to advocate for the person-centred long term solutions needed to end homelessness.
“I would have been in a very deep hole without Rachel,” Rosie said. “She helped me with a lot of practical things like filling out forms but also with social and life skills. I had gotten to the stage where I couldn’t even talk to people on the phone.”
This summer, Rosie moved into new accommodation and is hopeful: “I’m still taking the relationship with my family day by day but having my own space makes the world of difference. I’m excited to get back into education and see where that takes me.”
Rosie added: “I would love for people to take a second to think about all the different reasons why someone might find themselves without a home through no fault of their own. Please just keep an open mind.”
The focus of Homelessness Awareness Week this year is to turn attention toward the human cost of homelessness. Events will be taking place right across this society, including Ballymena, Belfast, Coleraine, Dungannon, Newry and Strabane, to name only some of the places.
In recognition of Homelessness Awareness Week this week, Homeless Connect is urging the public to look beyond the statistics and ‘See The Person’ as they join with organisations across Northern Ireland’s homelessness sector to shine a light on the real, human impact of homelessness.
The theme is challenging compassion fatigue and seeking the common humanity in us all as the number of people at risk of or experiencing homelessness continues to climb in Northern Ireland.
Recent figures underline the severity of our housing and homelessness crisis. This number has risen by 135% over the decade to 32,159 on 30th June this year.
“Behind every statistic is a human being,” said Nicola McCrudden, Chief Executive of Homeless Connect at the launch of Homelessness Awareness Week.
“From a child doing their homework in crisis accommodation to a parent waiting years for a safe and secure home to raise their family, to a young adult sleeping sofa surfing after ageing out of care, ‘See the Person’ reminds us that homelessness isn’t just about numbers – it’s about neighbours – and that homelessness impacts on our friends, families and communities.”
Joining with Action for Children, a charity that protects and supports vulnerable children and young people by providing practical and emotional support, ensuring their voices are heard, and campaigning for lasting improvements for their lives, Homeless Connect and the team at Action for Children in Northern Ireland are working especially to raise awareness of the impact homelessness can have on children and young people and the diverse backgrounds and experiences of those who may find themselves homeless.
Lorna Ballard, National Director at Action for Children in Northern Ireland said: “Every year we help around 15,000 babies, children, young people and families across Northern Ireland. Everyone’s circumstances are different, but homelessness doesn’t discriminate – it really can happen to anyone.
“Our Sperrin and Lakeland Floating Support Service and Rossorry Grove accommodation in Enniskillen are lifelines for young people at risk of homelessness. Seeing what a huge difference the right wraparound support can make to young people is amazing and makes our job so worthwhile.”
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