Skip to main content
search

Homeless at Christmas, Please look after me

Homeless at Christmas, Please look after me

#PleaseLookAfterMe 

Ice Sculptures of homeless people bed down for the night in England’s most iconic cities. 

We have been busy in the freezer creating Ice Sculptures of a child that will be placed in 7 iconic locations across England on the 15th and 16th of December to raise awareness of the physical and emotional vulnerabilities of homeless people and the difficulties they face especially in the run up to Christmas.

Each child holds a cardboard plaque with the words ‘#PleaseLookAfterMe I am without a home.’

“We chose to make a child as many people do not understand that homeless people are amongst the most vulnerable people in England” explains Jamie Wardley.  “According to Homeless Link 72% are challenged by mental illnesses and over 50% have long term physical health issues. Homelessness often arises from childhood trauma, former institutionalisation and relationship breakdown.  What so many people require is not just housing but compassion and support as often provided by regional charities such as Happy Days who house and re-build the lives of homeless people, Simon on the streets who provide front-line emotional and practical support for those who need it, and the national charity Shelter who give advice 365 days a year.  However, it should be the welfare system that provides this.  Instead, vulnerable people are often bombarded with overwhelming bureaucracy that leaves them without a home.”

“It is the measure of a society on how they treat their most vulnerable people.  According to Shelter, 100,000 children will be homeless and living in temporary accommodation such as hostels and B&B’s this Christmas.  In a wealthy country such as England, everybody is worthy of a home and we feel we can do better.”  adds Claire Jamieson

“On the 15th December we will take the sculptures around the north, starting in the morning at City Park Bradford and then to Leeds Art Gallery and York Minster.  As the sun sets we will be in Manchester at St Peters square Christmas Market, then on to Liverpool’s Albert Docks.  On the 16th we will place a sculpture by the Bull Ring in Birmingham for mid-day and then travel to London Westminster to place a sculpture by Big Ben in the evening.” Says Tom Bolland.

Look out for the sculptures and most importantly, please understand the struggle of the homeless in the UK. At Christmas, when people are preparing to spend time with family and friends, there are others who are not so lucky. Homelessness charities work tirelessly to offer support and help to those in need.

Homeless at Christmas. Please look after me

Homeless at Christmas. Please look after me

 

Progress of ice sculpture process

Progress of ice sculpture process

 

Please look after me, raising awareness of homelessness

Please look after me, raising awareness of homelessness

 

Ice Sculptures to raise awareness of homelessness

Ice Sculptures to raise awareness of homelessness

 

Please look after me ice sculptures

Please look after me ice sculptures

 

Sculpting progress of ice sculptures

Sculpting progress of ice sculptures

 

Leave a Reply

Close Menu