A project created around the theme of Homelessness particularly focused on the Living Room Tea House which is located in Soho, London. The Cafe opens its doors to City Gates Church on a monday evening to homeless people in the local community. Offering food, tea and coffee’s, a friendly ear, games, a short bible talk. A volunteer who was homeless in the past shares his story and personal experiences and the events the occurred which helped him to turn his life around.
We see homeless people on the streets, in doorways, reaching out to us to us for help, but who are they? What brought them here? Not every situation is as it seems. Some may take to the streets from an early age, to escape the dysfunction or perhaps abuse from a broken home. Others are hard working men and women for whom death of their loved ones, divorce, illness or job loss has caused their lives to plummet and fall apart. The mentally ill and a growing number of people living in poverty areas where housing cost has reached such heights that a minimum wage job could never hope to pay the actual cost of living. For many long term homeless, drugs and alcohol have become their only solace, and for many this is what keeps them going in a constant hustle for money to dull the pain of being alive.
Most of the issues of homelessness can’t be solved by giving them a home, this just serves to get them out of the way. The real issues begin to be addressed when people take the time to be there for these ladies and gentlemen. Helping them to re-establish broken relationships. Taking the time to talk to someone about their problems, worries and fears is a coping mechanism for us all, but these people may not have even had the pleasure of that, no one to confide in, no one to give a word of advice or reassurement. This is just another factor that may add to someone's mental wellbeing. The cafe however allows these men and women the chance to engage with other people, to make new friends in a safe space.