Service for 146 homeless people who died in London this year

Names of the homeless and formerly homeless people who have died over the last year in London were read out at the Annual Service of Commemoration at St Martin in the Fields yesterday. This year 146 names were read out.

The service is organised each year during remembrance week by St Martin-in-the-Fields, The Connection at St Martin's and Housing Justice, with Artistic Advisor Rosemarie Cockayne. Those who take part include staff and volunteers from the many agencies and churches giving aid to homeless and vulnerable people, and homeless and formerly homeless people themselves. The service brings together all who want to remember and give thanks for those who have died during the year, whether still on the streets, in hostels or in their own accommodation.

Rev Richard Carter of St Martin in the Fields led the service which this year took as its theme "Lost and Found". Those reading out the names were Steve Barnes of the Simon Community, Rev Annie Kirke of the Westminster Churches Winter Shelter project, Father Padraig Regan of the Passage and Kaz Mayes of the Connection at St
Martins.

Musical contributions were provided by The Choir with No Name and Streetwise Opera, and a poem from a member of the Connection's Creative Writing group.

An original drawing called "Trust", done by artist Don Pollard, was used on the poster and postcard given to all who attended. Don's drawing portrayed a small bird resting on someone's joined hands. Don said "It is on the hands not in the hands because I wanted to show that the bird is still free, that is so important when we trust that we are still free" The postcard included the name of one of those being commemorated. Rembrandt's Prodigal Son was the image over the altar, the picture showing the open hands of the Father welcoming the lost son home and the congregation were invited to place a footprint along the cloth leading toward the altar, on which was written the name of one of those being commemorated.

Dr Paul O'Reilly SJ of Dr Hickey's surgery, which provides GP services for homeless people, gave a short reflection. He said: "Each person whose name was read out today belongs to us. In remembering them we remember ourselves and the community which we belong to." He also quoted the well known lines from the remembrance day poem: At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them".

Alastair Murray of Housing Justice said: "The service gives us an opportunity to reflect on homelessness and its consequences, as we remember those who have died. It's also good to meet with friends and colleagues to give thanks for those people we have known who often lived life on their own terms."

Rev Richard Carter of St Martin's in the Fields commented: "Once again the names of those who had died seemed to go on and on, each name a person, each person unique. It was not only moving it made you long for change.

"This year's theme of 'lost and found' is the story of many here today, of hopes and dreams but also of making mistakes, of losing, of feeling broken and alone. Of those who have hit bottom and feel there is no way of returning. But today it is also the story of what it means to be found - of transformation and change - of rediscovering new life and hope. Of being lost but also found. Recognising that each single person is created equal. Recognising that we can often learn most and be changed most by the seemingly poorest and often in times of struggle. But also recognising that it is not just homeless people that can be the lost but the values of society that are lost and governments, and leaders, and the rich and privileged that can be blind and need to learn to see and hear these names read out today. Recognising that if one part of our society suffers we all must feel it and that a society will be judged by the way it treats it's most vulnerable members. It is the story of all of us and the journey, the footsteps, through struggle to the place where we can truly belong and where the most vulnerable have an equal place. It was an incredibly moving service and for me the most important service which takes place in this church on the edge of Trafalgar Square where each year so many other important people and events are remembered and celebrated."

The Connection at St Martin's helps homeless people by providing specialist services - including a day and night centre, outreach for rough sleepers, skills training and career advice, activity programmes and specialist support for complex needs - to 200 people in central London every day.

They offer advice, care and support in a welcoming and friendly environment. By encouraging each person to address the issues which caused their homelessness, they help them to gain the skills and confidence to make lasting changes in their lives.

The charity's mission is: To provide an effective and relevant range of services to homeless people of all ages and those who are at risk of homelessness and exclusion in central London, services which promote engagement and change, services which meet physical, personal and emotional needs and which clearly encourage and deliver
solutions.

It costs £4.4m to run The Connection at St Martin's services each year and over 40% of this income is raised through donations from individuals, companies, trusts and foundations.

For more information see: www.connection-at-stmartins.org.uk


Housing Justice is the national ecumenical charity working with homeless people. See: www.housingjustice.org.uk