Engaging with Homeless People in Salisbury
Guest Speakers: Leah Palmer and Jasmine O’Leary from Alabare
Salisbury Listening Place welcomed the Mayor of Salisbury, Cllr Jenny Bolwell, to its Annual Open Evening on Tuesday 22nd September. Addressing a packed audience, Leah and Jasmine from Alabare spoke about ‘Engaging with Homeless People in Salisbury’. Leah shared her experience of homelessness, stressing that it can happen to anyone for many reasons. She became homeless after her landlord issued a Section 21 notice that he required her rented property for a relative. Despite the landlord saying that she had been an exemplary tenant, Leah could not find suitable alternative accommodation.
The evening continued with an interactive role-play session contrasting unhelpful ways of engaging homeless people with more appropriate approaches. Thanking the speakers, Rev Cecil King noted the strong connection with the approach taken by Listeners at the Listening Place: treating people with respect, remaining non-judgmental, listening carefully and truly hearing what they say. Leah and Jasmine then offered practical advice about support available through Alabare and other agencies.
During the Q&A session, the Mayor described her own experience of homelessness as a young teenager, which continues to shape her compassion, understanding and support for homeless people.
