Homelessness Awareness Week (5th-11th Dec 2022) is a week of social, educational and awareness raising events which aim to raise awareness of the reality of homelessness in Northern Ireland. Held annually, it seeks to challenge stereotypes around homelessness and highlight the invaluable work of the homelessness sector here.

As our contribution to highlighting homelessness, the Council of Social Responsibility has commissioned Play It By Ear who have produced this impactful monologue:  The Crisis: Homelessness.

Homelessness can be very overt as seen on our streets and in doorways. It can also be “hidden” such as those who ‘sofa surf’ around friends, those who live in overcrowded conditions or squat and, of course, others sleeping rough if in hidden locations such as their car or van.

For further information, our Cost of Living resource page has links to detailed research by Shelter (UK) and SVP (Ireland) as well as the Irish Methodist Missions.

Various churches, community organisations and local councils are opening their buildings as Warm Welcome Spaces.

You may wish to pray for and / or make a financial donation to the Belfast City Centre Chaplaincy who encountered pastorally those living on the streets of Belfast  or any of the Methodist City Missions with their various outreach projects, not least those assisting those who are vulnerable and in need with their various housing problems.

A prayer:

Hear our prayer for all who are homeless – through choice or circumstance – for those sleeping under bridges, on park benches, in door ways or bus stations as well as those less visible from our sight but not Yours.

Hear our prayer of support to those who seek to bring Your love and compassion to those who are homeless and in need of your love.

Hear our prayer that we must not be lulled into complacency and forgetfulness due to the relative warmth of our homes and churches.  Help us to see Your face in the eyes of every homeless person we meet.  Empower us to work for justice through words and deeds.

Read more on Homelessness Awareness Week NI 2022 here.