Healthy Louth awarded €15,000 for project to empower homeless voices

Louth County Council’s Healthy Louth programme has secured €15,000 in funding from the Creative Ireland programme to launch an innovative project ‘Step Into My World.’ 

The initiative was compiled and will be delivered by the Louth Local Development Company SICAP team, facilitating a collaboration with Healthy Louth and Louth County Council Homeless Section.   

The aim of the project is to amplify the voices and experiences of vulnerable individuals who have experienced homelessness, life challenges and misplacement. Using a multi-agency approach and combining expertise and resources, all partners are committed to making a positive impact on the lives of those affected by homelessness in Louth.

‘Step Into My World’ will seek to provide a platform for marginalised voices by engaging individuals living in Direct Provision, women’s refuge centres, homeless shelters and addiction recovery services. 

Under the guidance of the SICAP team, a series of individual and group sessions will be facilitated by Art Therapists and Growth Mindset Therapists, participants will explore their realities, challenges, and the stigma associated with their situations. 

The project will culminate in the creation of individual recorded narratives and a collaborative art piece that will be publicly displayed.  

This initiative not only aims to empower participants to tell their own individual story but also seeks to raise awareness and reduce the stigma often associated with homelessness.  

It is anticipated that this in turn will increase empathy and understanding of this serious social issue throughout the broader community. 

“We are grateful to Creative Ireland for their support of this project,” said Paula Keenan, Healthy County Coordinator for Louth County Council. 

“With this funding, we can provide a platform for individuals who have experienced homelessness to share their stories authentically, challenge existing perspectives, and advocate for meaningful change in our society.”

Maeve Harkin, SICAP Manager of Louth Local Development’s SICAP programme said: 

“We welcome this value adding funding opportunity that will further enable us to collaborate at a grass roots level with local community groups and services to ensure inclusive outcomes for our local communities.” 

‘Step Into My World’ Project Co-ordinator Ina McCrumlish added: 

“I am really looking forward to implementing the project in collaboration with the target groups. This project was compiled and will be implemented rooted in the belief that vulnerable people need to be heard. 

“Their story needs to be told in their own words and more importantly listened to.  To listen to another is the first step to empower an individual.  In the listening, our hope would be that progress can be made.” 

Adrian McHugh, Senior Staff Officer in Homelessness at Louth County Council added:

“The aim of this project ‘Step Into My World’ is not only to give a voice to the often unseen and unheard members of our community, but also to celebrate their resilience and creativity. This is a significant step towards fostering a more inclusive and understanding society.”

For more information about ‘Step Into My World: Empowering Homeless Voices Through Art,’ please contact Paula Keenan, Healthy County Coordinator at HealthyLouth@louthcoco.ie