A new lease of life for an old barracks supporting homeless people and the wider community.
Homelessness
London
Sep 2010
Homeless Actors Tread the Boards in Style Thanks to Support from CRASH
Established in 1991, Cardboard Citizens uses theatre combined with support as a catalyst for personal and social change to homeless peoples’ lives through theatrical performances with homeless actors in theatres, hostels and community venues, performing arts workshops and personalised advice and guidance.
The need
New rehearsal space and offices along with confidential interview rooms have given Cardboard Citizens a renewed lease of life enabling them to deliver all their services to homeless men and women under one roof.
Their previous ‘bohemian nest’ was not fit for purpose and had no space for either rehearsals or confidential support and advice sessions therefore when the theatre company found a new site in East London, they called on CRASH for help.
The solution
CRASH called upon patrons to support this project.
How patrons helped
EC Harris provided pro-bono professional expertise, Knauf provided free building materials and Altro and Heckmondwike generously donated flooring so that homeless participants can ‘tread the boards’ in great style.
The social impact
Cardboard Citizens’ ambassador Kate Winslet – whose support also enabled this significant development to take place – was impressed when she popped in to have a look.
“We know from our 20 years of experience that being homeless is about more than just the lack of a physical home. Our new space at Greenfield Road means that for the first time we will have a purpose-built workshop and rehearsal space, offices, and confidential rooms where we can deliver Information, Advice & Guidance to our members all under one accessible roof. Homeless people living in hostels are socially isolated and lack the ‘social capital’ needed to get ahead and self-promote to better opportunities. Cardboard Citizens is uniquely placed to work in partnership with homeless hostels and day centres to restore and maintain access to arts activities for homeless people in London.”
at Cardboard Citizens
Cardboard Citizens After
