31 August 2009

Gimme Shelter - Sleepout at the Albert Hall

| johnboy
Join the conversation
28

[First filed: August 29, 2009 @ 10:19]

Homelessness in Canberra is a bit of a hidden problem thanks to the cold. But it’s still out there, and one day it could be you.

This media release came across my desk and I offer it for your consideration, either to participate, or to sponsor:

    Cold, uncomfortable and unfamiliar. That’s the reality most nights for many people who are homeless in Canberra.

    And when the mercury drops the daily search for shelter becomes harder, and more urgent.

    The cold also comes as a shock to the hundreds of young people who flock here every year to work for the Commonwealth public service. It’s the stuff of a million jokes. We can laugh because we’ve got secure jobs, as well as central heating.

    But on 11 September we’re going to try and get a better idea of what it’s like to be out in the cold. About
    150 young professionals are going to be “sleeping rough” in Albert Hall. We’ll get a cup of soup and bread and a spot on the floor, but not much else.

    “Most homeless people in Canberra don’t have much certainty”, says event organiser Giles Dickenson-Jones, who works for Treasury and who is President of Spring, a volunteer organisation for young professionals.

    “They bounce between temporary and crisis accommodation, or jump from couch to couch, trying to stay with friends, family, or whoever will take them in.”

    “So for one night we’ll be doing what many homeless people do – sleeping in an unfamiliar and uncomfortable place. It won’t be that tough a night when you compare it to what homeless people face every day. But it will give us a rough idea of what it’s like, and help us raise awareness of homelessness in Canberra.”

    “More importantly, it will help us to raise money for Barnardos, which is one of Australia’s largest community organisations. It provides shelter and financial support to young people who are homeless and disadvantaged families in Canberra.

    Everyone who’s taking part in the sleep out will be asking their friends and family to sponsor them. And all proceeds will be handed over to Barnardos, and ploughed back into the vital services they provide.

    Mr Dickenson-Jones says dozens of young public servants have already signed up, and he’s hoping hundreds more will follow their lead.

    “Our generation is pretty sheltered, so we’re putting out the call — come and share some shelter with your mates.”

    “It won’t be a comfortable night, but it will still be a fun one. There will be live music, entertainment and a late night movie. We’ll also have some great guest speakers from Barnardos and other organisations, who can tell us how we can do more to help them help others.”

    WHAT: Gimme Shelter
    WHEN: 7:00 pm Friday 11 September until 9:00 am September 12
    WHERE: Albert Hall
    CONTACT:
    Giles Dickenson-Jones – 0439 472 603
    Erin Miller – 0403 532 339

Join the conversation

28
All Comments
  • All Comments
  • Website Comments
LatestOldest
UrbanAdventure.org7:17 am 20 Oct 09

So, how did this go? Was it a comfortable / uncomfortable experience? Did it raise many funds / much awareness of homelessness?

BTW, as part of the “live entertainment”, let me confirm that no money is being spent on us! We’re donating our services, as I believe are the other performers on the night.

want to make it an uncomfortable experience? turn off the power, no heaters, and the live entertainment can go acoustic.

I recognise what barnardos are saying, but in order to make the event sobering and life changing, not to mention promoting greater goodwill towards the unfortunate people who live on our streets, the people who do have these luxuries need to forgo them.

I have spent the night in albert hall, many, many years ago. with the heat running it isn’t that bad. I have also spent the night in a stairwell in winter. That was terrible.

There are far more homeless people that have been assisted by charities such as barnardos, and with the little bit of help and encouragement we received, we have “joined” society again.

Shelter or the Streets in the mid 80s did a sleepout near the Civic Merry go-round sometime in August. No rain, no entertainment nor food. It was ok and raised a little media interest and was somewhat related to various squats running at the time. It was a tiring night but not too bad – made me appreciate 4 walls and a roof and the ability to pay rent. The squats were quite good fun with lots of fantastic support from various large unionists when the dirty developer tried to send in thugs to move people on so they could develop residential properties. Well that did happen and there seem to be more people around sleeping rough – I guess from decline in mental health residential facilities, more expensive housing and less cheap/subsidized accommodation for those doing it tough. Good luck to this new effort – a novel experience for the 150 involved and maybe some good will come of it.

Pommy bastard1:16 pm 31 Aug 09

Fair comments Emma, and apologies for my negative preconceptions.I hope you can understand the reasoning behind them.

As the beneficiary charity of this event we just wanted to respond to some of the comments on here that appear to have misinterpreted the spirit of the Gimme Shelter event. Spring Volunteers, the group of young professionals who have organised Gimme Shelter, are community-minded young people who regularly do voluntary work and organise fundraising events. They are individuals who have chosen to give something back to the community they live in. It is only with the support of the ‘haves’ in our society that charity organisations such as ourselves can help the ‘have nots’.

Several of the members of the group became aware of the work Barnardos does with homeless families and young people in Canberra and wanted to do something to support the work we do. They are not pretending to be experiencing the harsh reality of homelessness, and nor we would want them to, however they will raise awareness about homelessness amongst other ‘haves’ – their peers, friends, family and colleagues – and crucially the money they raise will go directly towards programs that provided vital support and assistance to the families and young people who sadly are experiencing that harsh reality.

The poster was designed to get other young professionals, who have the ability to get involved and raise money, thinking about what it would be like to be homeless. Thankfully for many of us thinking about it is as close as we’ll ever get to being homeless, but if Gimme Shelter results in a few more ‘yuppies’ engaging with the issues and taking some responsibility for problems in their community then that can only be a good thing.

It is reassuring to see that so many people on this site have a strong awareness and concern about homelessness. If you would like to organise a fundraising or awareness raising event of your own then please get in touch. For more information about our work visit http://www.barnardos.org.au.

kind regards
Emma Smith
PR & Communications Manager
Barnardos Australia
pr@barnardos.org.au

And to further back up what I said above, on searching and finding their website they even say:

“It won’t be nearly as tough as a night on the streets. But it will give us a rough idea of what it’s like to sleep in a strange place you can’t call home. Best of all you can help us achieve our goal of raising $15,000 for Barnardos Australia.”

So you can see there, they’re not trying to be martyrs they just trying to raise money!

If you’re interested, here’s the site:
http://www.springpv.org/
And specifically:
http://www.springpv.org/gimmeshelter/

hmmm, surprised how many people are saying this is a crap idea purely because it’s not as hard as actually living on the streets. Think about it people, it’s not meant to be a real simulation of living on the streets, it’s not about people being martyrs for their cause. It’s not a hunger strike.

I see it as a means to get as many young people as possible involved, so that they can in turn get as much sponsorship as they can from as many other people. That will enable Barnardos to generate as much as possible to then go on to help as many people as they can – the ultimate aim.

The point here is to get large numbers involved to generate as much money as possible to help as many people as possible. You’re not going to get a large number of people volunteer to be treated poorly, but you will if you can inject a bit of fun into it and give people a sense they’re doing something worthwhile.

This idea has the potential to interest young people, and in turn they can get all their friends and family to sponsor them and get some money back to the homeless. So for that, I think it’s a great idea, as it has great potential to help people and get some more awareness out there about the homeless situation in Canberra.

geez!

Now if only I could read the website address on that image… grrr…

VYBerlinaV8_the_one_they_all_copy12:15 pm 31 Aug 09

Sleeping where it is ‘safe’ is sensible for an event like this, and I think it will achieve some of its goals.

The entertainment stuff is a bit much, though.

I am 17 years old and I am homeless. I left an abusive home and was out on the streets. I now live in a refuge, but I understand how hard it can be. I do think that it is a nice idea for people to camp out in Albert Hall for a night, but it’s just that. It’s one night. At least they will be inside, and at least they will actually get food. A lot of us don’t. I don’t know what their conditions in the hall will be like, but I can personally guarantee you that it will not be the same as being on the streets.

katahandmade said :

how about actually getting these people to volunteer in soup kitchens and like?

Its not about punishing people, or using their time ineffectively. Their money and influence are much more valuable to the cause than their time working at a soup kitchen. A tiny and mostly symbolic taste of not having their own room for a night will strengthen their commitment.

This is a good thing.

sepi said :

As long as you actually have some empathy and an imagination there is no problem.

Precisely. And if you don’t, then find some other way to help.

I think it is fine. It is like the 40 hour famine – you don’t have to undergo every last privation of a starving person to imagine their suffering – instead you go without solid food for 40 hours and use your imagination for the rest.

I wouldn’t choose to sleep on the floor of Albert Hall – I imagine lying on the hard floor will inspire the participants to think about being without a soft bed. And that will lead them to thinking about being without a home, possession, safety, and all the rest.

As long as you actually have some empathy and an imagination there is no problem.

Quite a fair bit actually, but I will not blow my own trumpet in public about it, that defeats the whole object of “good deeds done in secret.”

Based on your continuous cynicism, colour me sceptical.

I cannot be alone in finding the whole concept of yuppies having a night in the Albert hall as a “rough idea” of homelessness, rather insulting to the homeless?

This isn’t the first fundraiser of it’s type – eg the CEO Sleepout. The fact remains, rather than tear someone else down because their idea of fundraising doesn’t accord with yours, how about you go implement your great ideas?

In other words, put up or shut up.

katahandmade5:34 pm 29 Aug 09

Not alone in your thinking there Pommy bastard, rather than spending money on music and live entertainment how about actually getting these people to volunteer in soup kitchens and like?

Perhaps if the government stopped razing public housing complexes and selling off the land to private developers a la Fraser Court, there might be a few less homeless people. I know Fraser Court had its issues but at least people had a roof over their heads.

Pommy bastard4:15 pm 29 Aug 09

caf said :

I supposed cafe latte’s will be delivered, pizza will be brought in, and a couple of bottles of good merlot will be a given?

Meanwhile, you are doing what exactly to help anyone apart from yourself?

Thought so.

Quite a fair bit actually, but I will not blow my own trumpet in public about it, that defeats the whole object of “good deeds done in secret.”

“The work an unknown good man has done is like a vein of water flowing hidden underground, secretly making the ground green.”
Thomas Carlyle

I cannot be alone in finding the whole concept of yuppies having a night in the Albert hall as a “rough idea” of homelessness, rather insulting to the homeless?

MrPC said :

Couch surfing/being stuck in share housing, or couch surfing when homeless. It’s much the same thing. Sure, slightly more dignity, but only slightly.

I noticed two of Canberra’s uber-rich people (dodgy eco-zillionaires) advertising for couches to sleep on, on a trip they were taking to the US — so they clearly don’t regard couch surfing, at least while travelling, as infra dig!

I supposed cafe latte’s will be delivered, pizza will be brought in, and a couple of bottles of good merlot will be a given?

Meanwhile, you are doing what exactly to help anyone apart from yourself?

Thought so.

Couch surfing/being stuck in share housing, or couch surfing when homeless. It’s much the same thing. Sure, slightly more dignity, but only slightly.

Ivan76 said :

Bereaboy I think you’ll find the homeless youth don’t have the option to live with their parents rather they almost certainly come from broken homes with drug addiction problems, But thanks for nailing the typical Canberran response.
.

R-read my post Ivan, then comment. I wasn’t talking about the homeless in my first para, I was responding to MrPC’s comment on Generation Y and his expectations on salary and home ownership. It’s never a good idea to get a posters comments twisted.

I have a family member who have been homeless since 14 due to her having family issues and she ended up in prostitution and hard drugs. My own family and I have called in numerous favours over the years to help this girl out with accommodation and a job just to have it blow up in my face. So please don’t nail down my comments as being ‘typical Canberra’ anything.

Curious that this idea pops up after the real cold snap of winter has passed us by. I completely agree wit you also PMM, I don’t recall live bands, guest speakers and a movie accompaning me when I was homeless as a teenager rather it was a lonely experence.

Bereaboy I think you’ll find the homeless youth don’t have the option to live with their parents rather they almost certainly come from broken homes with drug addiction problems, But thanks for nailing the typical Canberran response.

Mr pc I agree with you on the greedy landlord part but please don’t compare your $50k job with being homeless, it just means you can’t afford to go out to civic on the weekends & get drunk if you want to get ahead.

I hope they raise a lot of money as its a good cause but on the other hand. I also hope these young executives don’t go away actually thinking they know what its like to be homeless. At least they will have a taste of it & the speakers will be able to illustrate the rest I’m sure.

Pommy bastard1:59 pm 29 Aug 09

“So for one night we’ll be doing what many homeless people do – sleeping in an unfamiliar and uncomfortable place. It won’t be that tough a night when you compare it to what homeless people face every day. But it will give us a rough idea of what it’s like, and help us raise awareness of homelessness in Canberra.”

To give them a better “rough idea” get a couple of dozen drunken tramps to share the shelter with them, prime them on a few flagons of “electic lemonade” each, so they spend the night fighting with each other, and calling these young professionals “Oy, you’re my besht mate you is. Didn’t you kill my brother?”

Then round up a few dozen skag addict to stroll about the shelter, constantly badgering them for; “Bit of change mate, got any change?” whilst knicking anything of value from them.

Oh, and at 3.00 am 4.00 am arrange for the police to move them on.

And 5.00 am, get the street sweepers to hose them down.

Make sure to run constant traffic as close as possible to wherever they are trying to kip.

“It won’t be a comfortable night, but it will still be a fun one. There will be live music, entertainment and a late night movie.

Idiotic ideas you couldn’t make up, number ; 2343453.

I supposed cafe latte’s will be delivered, pizza will be brought in, and a couple of bottles of good merlot will be a given?

Fluges: Isn’t it obvious that that’s the concept behind the poster, right down to the APS lanyard?

MrPC said :

Homelessness is going to become mainstream if something isn’t done about skyrocketing house prices and greedy landlords. I was aghast when Jon Stanhope said that his land rent scheme would make home ownership possible for people on incomes as low as $50k. As an APS3, I earn just under $49k. Seems as if Gen Y can’t win no matter what we do.

Not sure I agree with you on that, Mr PC. Work hard, move up the corporate ladder and you can afford more in life. Till then live with the folks or get a fairly cheap group house. It’s the way every other generation has done it up to now. There are few ‘rights’ in life but I’m pretty sure being given a high paying job just because you want more money and new home while in your 20’s isn’t one of them. Think of it as an incentive to move up.

I think the above idea is a good one but who are these 150 young professionals and how were they chosen? As with PMM, I’m not sure live music, entertainment and a move is the way to show these people what being homeless is like. Surely having them sleep in Garema place or somewhere similar would have provided a better indication?

Couldn’t they have found somebody who looks just a little less like a comfortably-housed APS3 for the poster?

I don’t think homeless people have the luxuries of live music, entertainment and a late night movie…

I think the hardcore, street homeless tend to migrate north from Canberra for the cold months. So to replicate the experience, maybe fly to Byron and camp on the beach?

Homelessness is going to become mainstream if something isn’t done about skyrocketing house prices and greedy landlords. I was aghast when Jon Stanhope said that his land rent scheme would make home ownership possible for people on incomes as low as $50k. As an APS3, I earn just under $49k. Seems as if Gen Y can’t win no matter what we do.

Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.