Just because you are homeless doesn’t mean you don’t have a talent, doesn’t mean you can’t learn something new

Becky, Engagement Worker

Paul first came to Barnabus when he was rough sleeping on the streets of the city centre. He was coming to our breakfast session for food, showers and basic support. But we struggled to find out more about him until he came to our music sessions, where he opened up more and was more willing to talk about his situation.

Fortunately Paul got into temporary accommodation, and is still there as he works towards getting himself a permanent home. But he kept coming back to Barnabus for the music session. He has now been coming to the music sessions for a few months; it's a part of his weekly routine and is a constant in his disrupted life. Moving from the streets into temporary accommodation can cause more stress and chaos for people as they adjust to a totally different life.

People in temporary accommodation are still homeless. Just because they have a bed, it is not permanent, not secure and not private with shared toilets and often shared dorms. They still need support to leave homelessness and move into a home, which is why we still welcome people in temporary accommodation, like Paul, into our centre and support them.

Our music session is very enjoyable to those who attend. There's a feeling of calm in the room, it’s not a clinical support meeting, no questions of life stories, past traumas and addiction. People can just be themselves and enjoy each other's company. Something they rarely get to do. There is something really special about the collective creation of music. Our guests often spend the session creating a new song or simply playing along together. You can hear some of that here with Paul singing a Christmas song at our recent Wednesday Music Session.

Before our afternoon music group session, we offer three individual hour long 1-2-1 music lessons, a chance for our friends to learn a song, improve their singing or whatever they’d like to do. A unique opportunity for them to not focus on working towards housing, finances overcoming addiction. It is something positive in a week with little to look forward to, a positive form of escapism from the everyday chaos of homelessness.

Paul has had several 1-2-1’s with Cat to develop his singing and, as you can hear in the video, he has a brilliant voice.

Help us bring hope and a future for the people we support. 

*name changed to protect our friends identity