Housing Justice
Housing Justice would like to invite you to join us at St Martin-in-the-Fields on Thursday 7th November at 11am to remember those whose lives have been shortened by homelessness in London this year.
Every November, a non-denominational Commemoration Service is held at St Martin-in-the-Fields to remember those whose lives have been cut short, tragically curtailed, as a result of their lived experience of homelessness in all its forms – both conspicuous and hidden – in the last year.
The theme of this years’ service is ‘Coming Home’ and will recognise the fact that so many people seeking to find a safe place to belong and to call home are still struggling to find affordable accommodation. We will remember those who have died on the streets, in temporary accommodation, as well as those who managed to move on to more settled lives but who still relied on homelessness services. We also remember colleagues and volunteers who have died in the past year in remembrance and thanksgiving for their service and support alongside people experiencing homelessness.
The service on Thursday 7th November will include songs from people with experience of homelessness in ‘The Choir with No Name’ and ‘Streetwise Opera’. There will also be a moving performance of composer Gavin Bryars’ ‘Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet’. This involves singing by a man experiencing homelessness which Gavin recorded while creating a film about people sleeping rough in London in 1971.
In the weeks prior to the service, London’s homelessness services provide lists of names, which are read out to the congregation. Rev’d Richard Carter who leads the service said: “Last year 87 names were read out and this year it could be more. This is one of the most deeply moving and special services we hold each year at St Martin’s. Together we aim to remember, and give dignity and thanks for, many who in their lives were deprived of the basic human right of a safe home, and many who came to this country to escape violence and poverty – but found no safety and no place to belong. Those we remember today, as you will hear, had so many gifts to share and their lives touched the lives of many of us who have come to remember them.”
We know that experiencing homelessness is a life-changing hardship and that access to shelter is a basic requirement for us all. Without shelter, our mental and physical health suffers to the extent that someone experiencing homelessness dies every 6.5 hours. The average age of death among homeless people in the UK is 47 for a man and 43 for a woman. This compares to 79.5 for men and 83.1 for women in the general population.
Bonnie Williams, Chief Executive of Housing Justice said: “Recent figures show that 11,993* people were sleeping on London’s streets between April 2023 and March 2024. This is a shocking 19% increase on last year’s alarmingly high figure and the highest figure on record.
“The Service of Commemoration is a poignant reminder of the life-limiting nature of homelessness and the impact it has on both physical and mental health, and life expectancy. Our thoughts and prayers are with those we remember with love and dignity today, and we are privileged to be involved in this important event again this year.”
Pam Orchard, Chief Executive of The Connection said: “It’s so important that we take time to remember and honour those whose lives have been shortened by homelessness. It is appalling that people experiencing homelessness have such a low life expectancy in one of the richest countries in the world.
“We know it is possible to provide safe accommodation for everyone who needs it, and with the right support in place people can recover from the trauma of homelessness and go on to live long, healthy lives. We call on the new government to do what is necessary to ensure this is the reality for everyone.”
*Figures provided by the Combined Homelessness Information Network March 2024.
Find out more about Housing Justice’s work here.
Article from: https://housingjustice.org.uk/