Homelessness Awareness Week: Seeing the person and a future in housing

Homeless Awareness Week took place during the first week in December. This year’s theme, “See the Person,” reflects what housing and homelessness work is truly about – people, not labels. With that in mind, CIH Futures NI decided to host a Lunch and Learn at Northern Regional College to bring the theme to life, while also opening up conversations about housing as a career of choice.

We were delighted to welcome around 50 health and social care students and staff to the session. The atmosphere in the room was open and engaged right from the start. Iain kicked things off with a warm welcome and an introduction to CIH Futures, setting the scene for the afternoon. Charlotte then gave an overview of the housing allocations system in Northern Ireland, helping attendees understand how the system works and the challenges people can face when trying to secure a home.

Ross then encouraged everyone to pause and reflect on their own perceptions of homelessness. By sharing brief insights from our experiences working within the homeless sector, Ross challenged some of the common assumptions about what homelessness “looks like.” Attendees were also told that someone in the room was currently experiencing homelessness and would be sharing their story later in the session – a moment that really focussed minds and reinforced the importance of seeing the person behind the circumstances.

We were then joined by Carly and Liam from Belfast Central Mission, who delivered an interactive and engaging presentation. Through a series of myth-busting questions, they invited attendees to question stereotypes and think more deeply about the realities of homelessness. Liam also shared case study examples, highlighting how homelessness can particularly impact young people and the long-term effects it can have on their lives.

One of the most powerful moments of the session came when we were honoured to welcome our guest speaker, Abeer, alongside Florence, an Extern social worker. Abeer is a journalist from Yemen who once held a respected position within her community. Due to the war, and the targeting of journalists through killings and enforced disappearances, she was forced to flee her home. Now living in Northern Ireland as a refugee, Abeer is navigating life with a status officially defined as homeless. She shared her story with incredible honesty and courage. It was emotional, insightful, and deeply moving, and it perfectly captured the message of this year’s theme – see the person.

Following Abeer’s presentation, Charlotte, Ross and Carly talked through some practical tips on how we can all do better at seeing the person and challenging stigma around homelessness in our everyday work and lives.

With such powerful presentations, the session provided the perfect backdrop to highlight housing as a career of choice and the many transferable skills between social work and housing. It was encouraging to see genuine interest from the students in the room. Charlotte, Carly and Ross each shared their own journeys into housing, showing that there is no single route into the profession – just a shared commitment to making a difference.

It was a meaningful afternoon that highlighted the strength of our social purpose and the difference we make in housing. It reinforced why awareness weeks like this matter and, importantly, why seeing the person must always come first.