Arc Hosts Powerful Awareness Event for World Homeless Day

World Homeless Day serves as a vital platform to celebrate progress, champion good work, and advocate for improved policies and funding to help prevent and end homelessness. The day also aims to raise awareness of the needs of people experiencing homelessness and to promote collaborative, community-led solutions.

The evening featured a screening of the award-winning film I, Daniel Blake, which moved the audience to tears, telling the story of Daniel Blake, who struggles to navigate the benefit system and shows the heart-breaking realities for those who fall through the cracks of society. This was followed by a thought-provoking panel discussion.

The panel included Paul Richards, CEO of Arc; Sarah Wakefield, Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Adult Services, Housing & Homelessness; Mark Brown, Vice Chair of the Homeless Reduction Board and Chair of Creative Solutions; and James Hobbs, who shared his lived experience of homelessness and his journey through Arc’s services.

The audience which was made up of partner agencies, local organisations, supporters, and members of the public took part in an engaging and balanced discussion about homelessness in Somerset and the collective action needed to create meaningful change.

Paul Richards, CEO of Arc, said:

“We hosted No Place to Call Home to raise awareness of the realities and consequences of homelessness here in Somerset. It’s vital that we are having these open conversations and work collaboratively with all our partners to bring about lasting change. Events like this help us challenge perceptions, to build understanding, and strengthen our shared commitment to ensuring everyone has a safe place to call home.”

Following the success of the event, we will be looking to build on the momentum, continuing the conversation and strengthening collaboration between local services and organisations to find and implement lasting solutions.