Raising awareness about homelessness

Print option in slimbox / lytebox? (info)

Friday, 10 February 2012 Written by Andi Brown

Year 8 Project Challenge

It is often difficult to draw our minds away from the typical stereotype of someone who is homeless. The dirty, scruffy, smelly weirdo sleeping in a shop doorway, begging for change that they will probably just go and blow on drugs or alcohol. The Year 8s found that it really can affect people in all walks of life, including those that you might not expect. They examined the causes of homelessness and researched charities that help those both in the immediate future by giving them food and shelter and those that look to solve the bigger life issues.

As part of this Project the class were challenged to put on an event that raised awareness to the rest of the school about the issues of homelessness. This included a People’s Kitchen dishing out hot cups of tea, quizzes, a homeless crazy golf, a back pack game and even a sleeping bag obstacle course helping the rest of the year groups, and staff, engage with the realities and facts of homelessness! On top of all this the Year 8 class surprised everyone with a flash mob dance and a performance of Ed Sheeran's very topical song 'A-Team'. Nicole had written and recited a moving poem describing how some homeless people may feel as they watch the world go by.

The event was a huge success! Not only did everyone enjoy themselves but also came face to face with the facts about homelessness in the communities around them.