Picture – The NQ Media students during their homelessness awareness day
Have you ever looked at a person sleeping on the streets and think, ‘how did they get there?’ Have you ever thought about who they were before they became homeless? That’s what the NQ Media students wanted to raise awareness of during their events subject in February.
The group was keen to explore the above questions and the stigma attached to those who find themselves without permanent accommodation.
Their project culminated in a series of interactive stalls in which the learners could speak to other students in the college about trying to take away the stereotypes and the negative language associated with those who find themselves homeless.
The idea came through meetings with other like minded people such as Gerard McKenzie-Govan, a fashion designer who wanted to change the perception of homelessness. This meeting would be a turning point for the class as it led to them wanting to get a more positive and different message out there.
To create this new message, they carried out interviews and focus groups with homeless charities such as Glasgow City Mission and companies such as the Ootsider. They also allowed spoke to people who had experienced homelessness a as Pavement2Catwalk owner Donald Waugh and fellow student Shory Lee.
To get the word out the group turned to social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, creating videos around the college and even street interviews with the general public asking their thoughts on the current homelessness situation in Glasgow and encouraging people to “make a difference”.
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The interactive stalls provided visitors a chance to see the many ways someone could end up living on the street. They featured storyboards, written articles and quotes from interviews done with aforementioned individuals that had been homeless. It also had a raffle with some prizes, a tombola and a bake sale. It also looked to share some questions with boards asking things like, “what is home to you?”
Glasgow City Mission’s Joanne Gray popped along and spoke about what being involved with homelessness means to her personally.
“For me we’re all one paycheck away from losing your rent, your house or your job so to be able to help somebody who has stumbled on a bit of bad luck is massive. I want to be one those people who is helping people to get back on their feet because one day it could be me or a family member and I’d like to think there are people who are going to help us back up.”
Thomas from InvizibleStories also spoke on the day of the event about what their cause could do for changing people’s perceptions: “I think it can change people’s perspectives. It’s changed mine, it’s changed the way I look at homeless people.”
The organisers would like for those who came to the event to walk away with the message that homelessness can come in many different forms and can happen to anyone, as the campaign looks to shift the perception and encourage understanding of the issue.
