Donation empowers homeless community to get creative

Financial donation empowers homeless community to get creative and design their own future

The Salvation Army has joined forces with Merseyside police to offer a seven-week creativity course to the homeless community of Liverpool. 

The Art of Change project took place at The Salvation Army’s Liverpool Lifehouse (hostel) Ann Fowler House, located on Fraser Street, with the L3 postcode that it resides in being recognised as a high crime area. The Salvation Army and Merseyside Police used the £6,000 donation to encourage residents to keep busy, have a sense of purpose and provide support when other people in the area might try and encourage them to participate in criminal activity. 

The series of workshops allowed residents to be involved in gardening and art sessions and explore their creativity, escaping the experiences and memories that led them to homelessness whilst also engaging and connecting with others and having a focus and sense of belonging, allowing for a level of structure and routine to return to their lives. 

Zoë Shipton, service manager at Ann Fowler House said: “The workshops had a positive impact on all of our residents allowing for connections to be made with staff and also the local police, building solid foundations and making a difference to their confidence. During the time, residents felt more engaged, they felt they had a purpose and were persistent in showing up each week to get involved. 

“Experiencing homelessness for some people is sadly unavoidable and brings many challenges. We aim to make their stay with us nicer, more comfortable and to give them the tools to change their outlook on life. People deserve a decent home and a loving environment, with activities showing that they do matter and people do care what happens to them. When experiencing homelessness, that kind of support is more important than ever.”

Plain clothed police community support officers (PCSO) from Merseyside Police took part in the sessions each week which included photography, painting, upcycling and gardening with residents able to utilise their skills in these areas, empowering them to see their strengths, develop the belief that they do belong and strive to release their potential, sentiments that The Salvation Army encouraged them to carry into every day.