Women’s Homelessness – What Needs To Change?
We held our Conference on 9th March 2023 at BAaD, an independent venue in The Barras in Glasgow and addressed the question of what needs to change with regards to women’s homelessness. We highlighted the particular issues faced by women who are homeless, including safety, hidden homelessness and the gendered analysis of what makes women homeless and what can be done to prevent this happening.
It was a great success with over 100 delegates from Housing and Homelessness and social care sectors.
We are grateful to all of our speakers and to our host for the day, Karen Dunbar. Fresh from running the Rap Group with some of our young women, she did an amazing job of being ‘the jam in our piece’, as she put it! She made the day great fun for us all, and kept our spirits raised through some emotionally challenging presentations.
Our speakers were incredibly knowledgeable, passionate and inspiring. They were:
We also heard from two of our young women who were involved in our Hidden Homelessness Group Project. Karen Dunbar interviewed them about the project, what they got out of it, and what was next for them. They showed a video of the posters created for the project in situ on bus stops around Glasgow, with the rap they had composed and performed as the soundtrack.
It was powerful and emotional to see the young women contribute to our conference in person. Listening to their experiences, hearing them use their voices to talk about it and give their ideas on what needs to change really brought home the reality of the homeless experience of young women. They were inspirational, reminding us that everyone who experiences homelessness is a human being with their own story and all deserve compassion, help and support to achieve their full potential.
“The only conference we have ever been at that felt like the room was filled with love.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed my day and felt really happy with the content of the conference and how this was being addressed. I have been to so many of these things where people highlight the problems or give themselves a pat on the back for how well they have done but each speaker told us what the problem was but also what the solution is and how we can implement change.”
“Outstanding content and a truly inspiring day. Worth every penny and a joy to be part of. Massive support for SAY Women and the need for the service again reinforced.
Bravo folks one and all, keep on keeping on!”
On the young women’s input: “10 stars for these bold brave young women.
LOVED their inputs and journey to creativity out of the failings that societal judgement
and broken systems forced on them. A clear demonstration for all to see of the
effectiveness and need for SAY Women. Utmost respect to you all!”
