Last week I had the privilege of attending an event held in the Birmingham Peace Gardens to remember those who had died whilst experiencing homelessness. 

I joined around fifty people in the snow-scatter Peace Gardens to mark this first-of-its-kind memorial. Around me were friends and family of those who had died, lead workers, homelessness sector and voluntary sector workers and representatives from other charities, all taking the time out of their day to spend a while honouring and remembering. 

Ailish Whitehouse, Rough Sleeper Initiative Project Lead at the Birmingham Voluntary Sector Council, planned this event having recognised the absence of a dedicated space for those grieving the loss of loved ones who had died without a home.

Music played a central role in the memorial, with performances by The Choir with No Name, City Jam CIC, and SIFA Music Group.

Powerful poems and reflections were also shared by individuals with firsthand experience of homelessness

The event concluded with a moving reflection led by Carl from Change Grow Live, himself someone with a lived experience of homelessness. 

As white balloons soared into the sky, the attendees were invited to write tributes and condolences in a memorial book. This book will embark on a journey across Birmingham, visiting places of worship and community spaces, allowing others to share in the remembrance of those who died without a safe place to call home.