Young people's performance supports rough sleepers

STUDENTS have taken over the City Centre in a dramatic show of support for Liverpool's 'forgotten people.' 

Young dancers and actors from The City of Liverpool College converged, on Church Street, for a stunning 'flash mob' performance to raise awareness about the issues facing rough sleepers.

The students also used the opportunity to raise funds for City based homeless support charity, The Whitechapel Centre and to show their support for Liverpool's City Council's Always Room Inside campaign.

The 10 minute tour de force began with the students mingling with shoppers and City Centre workers. Then they broke ranks and flew into their very own passion play with cries of:- 'I'm sorry.' Taking on the mantle of homeless people with different issues, the students broached topics such as:- mental health, financial hardship, family breakdown and lack of opportunities.

City of Liverpool College Drama Lecturer Julie McKay, who worked with the young people on the performance said the idea was present the 'human face' of homelessness.

Julie commented:- "The students wore costumes representing all walks of life to highlight the fact that homelessness can happen to anyone. They also used cards with messages on to dispel some of the myths surrounding the subject and to share success stories."

The performers also used the opportunity to signpost the onlookers to where they can find out more and how they can get involved.

Each year, the City Council and its partners work proactively to prevent 7,000 people becoming homeless in Liverpool.

Under the Always Room Inside banner, the Council has given the commitment that no 1 needs to sleep rough on the City's streets. In November, Liverpool City Council opened the Labre House, a night shelter, to provide a safe place to stay for anyone who needs it.

The Council also helps to fund The Whitechapel Centre to provide day services to homeless people.

Whitechapel Centre Chief Executive David Carter said:- "This was a fantastic performance that really brought home some of the key messages about homelessness and rough sleeping in our City. It's great to see so many young people taking an active and getting involved in a subject that affects us all. It's only through everyone working together that we can help to resolve some of the issues facing homeless people in our City."

If you have concerns about someone sleeping rough in Liverpool, you can call the:- 'Always Room Inside helpline' on:- 0300 123 2041.

More Hope for Rough Sleepers

LIVERPOOL City Council has unveiled plans to help rough sleepers all year round by transforming its temporary night shelter into a full time facility. Last November, the City Council and its partners opened Labre House, on Camden Street, as a temporary winter shelter for rough sleepers. The Centre became the 1st of its kind in the country to accept anyone through the doors, regardless of their background or circumstances.

The Council works with Liverpool based charity The Whitechapel Centre, to identify anyone sleeping rough in the City and direct them into Labre House and day Centre services. As well as providing a place to sleep, Labre House gives users access to facilities including phones and the internet to inform family members they are safe and to find training and job opportunities. Labre House is seen as a route away from the streets into settled accommodation. The Centre has been so well used that in February the Council doubled its capacity to help cope with increased demand during the cold weather.

Now, the Council has submitted a planning application which will change Labre House's status as a temporary shelter, making it a permanent year round facility. The Council and its partners work proactively to prevent 7,000 from becoming homeless in Liverpool each year. The new plan is part of a longer term strategy to support homeless people and rough sleepers under the Council's Always Room Inside banner.

Future plans include the possible creation of a new, purpose built:- 'street lifestyles hub' on land opposite Labre House. The proposed ₤3.5M project could see a 2,000 square metre, 4 storey street lifestyle hub on the site, which would provide:- accommodation, support services, training and even employment opportunities. With plans for a Hotel and Offices / Training Centre as part of the site, the project could bring a much needed economic boost to the local area.

Liverpool City Council's Interim Director for Adult Services and Health, Dyane Aspinall, said:- "Our original intention was to refurbish the existing Labre House but building a new 1 will be the most cost effective solution. It will give the opportunity to create something really special to help some of the most disadvantaged people in our community."

Once the new building opens, the existing Labre House would be sold to help offset the cost of the construction. If all goes according to plan, it is anticipated that the application for the new Centre will be submitted in the summer.