University News Last updated 05 April 2018
Birmingham City University will be hosting the launch of a new campaign that hopes to tackle the stereotypes of what it means to be homeless.
St Basils, which is a leading homeless charity supporting young people in Birmingham, will launch the #HomeslessNotHopeless campaign at the institution’s City Centre Campus on Wednesday 11 April.
The Campus will host three homeless squats, but where you could expect to find a person sleeping, you will instead see cardboard signs with messages that reflect what goes through the minds of homeless people.
The idea of the campaign is to challenge the public’s perceptions of what it means to be homeless. "I'm homeless but currently working on my university assignments" and "just because I'm homeless, doesn't mean I don't have a job" are just some examples of the kinds of messages that will be placed in the setup.
Barrie Hodge, Head of Fundraising at St Basils, said:
“We are delighted at the support this campaign is getting.
“This campaign really challenges the stereotype that many have of what it means to be homeless. It can happen to anyone and to be aware of the early signs helps prevent it from happening in the first place.”
The launch will take place outside the entrance of The Parkside Building and The Curzon Building with volunteers providing information in the foyers of both from 9am until 2pm, and they will also be collecting donations from across the University’s City Centre Campus.
Third Year Media and Communications student, Paige Wilson, has played a part in organising the campaign launch.
St Basils charity works with those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness aged 16-25, helping over 5,000 young people per year across the West Midlands region with the support of other services in Birmingham.