Students get lesson on life on the streets

A creative new app and interactive website programme, the first of its kind in the UK, has been developed by the charity to take complex messages about the causes and effects of homelessness to young audiences in a dramatic and memorable fashion.

Schoolchildren will be able to create their own homeless ‘avatars’ which will then be used to show the young people the harsh realities of life on the streets.

The Carrick students faced the challenge of trying to house their virtual families and individuals against the backdrop of real-life limitations.

The new educational resource is strongly focused on the housing issues which young people may one day face themselves.

The on-screen work will also support ‘learning for life and work’ elements of the core curriculum and will be an important resource for youth workers.

The Simon Community is a voluntary organisation based in Northern Ireland which provides emergency accommodation, advice and community support for people who are homeless or who are at risk of becoming homeless.

It’s hoped this new campaign will change people’s perceptions of the homeless.

Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland paid a visit to the school to see the programme in action.

Mr McCausland said: “This new resource developed by Simon Community in partnership with the education authorities and schools fits in with my department’s homelessness strategy.

“It is based on early intervention and introduces the concept of homelessness to school children in both an educational and practical way.

“I am pleased to see this being done and I would like to congratulate Simon Community and all those involved in creating this new innovative on-line app.”