Download No Place Like Home resource here - Focus Ireland

Ending Homelessness• Invite the children to consider whether or not they believe that homelessness can be eliminatedcompletely. Elicit from them who may be responsible for putting an end to homelessness in Ireland.Do they have a role to play in ending homelessness? If so, what might that role be?• Divide the class into groups of two or more children. Assign a scenario from Cárta Oibre 2B to eachgroup. Invite the children to role-play how the people in their scenario feel once they have foundsecure, safe and long-term accommodation.• Bain trial as an gcluiche teanga thíos leis na leanaí:Fuair me teach nua agus cheannaigh mé…………- Insíonn an chéad leanbh, “fuair mé teach nua agus cheannaigh mé leaba”, mar shampla.- Insíonn an dara leanbh, “fuair mé teach nua agus cheannaigh mé leaba agus cathaoir ”,- Beidh an bua ag an leanbh a bhfuil in ann smaoineamh ar gach rud sa liosta.• Divide the children into groups of three and invite them to write down some of the things that need tobe done by the Government and themselves in order to eliminate homelessness. Allow feedback fromeach group and write a list of their suggestions on the blackboard.• Distribute Cárta Oibre 8A to each child. Explore the work card as a whole-class activity first to ensurethat the children understand the content.• Ask the class if they would like to commit to doing something about homelessness individually and as agroup.Parental agreement should be sought before the children undertake any of the following activities.Actions which they may choose include the following:1. Write a letter to the Irish Government asking them to:a) Build more houses so that housing waiting lists will be a thing of the pastb) Make houses available that aren’t so expensivec) Ensure that people have enough money so they can pay their rent, buy food and pay their bills.d) Give people the information and support they need to meet their daily needs once they havebeen housed.2. Raise funds for an organisation(s) that supports those who are out of home.• If the children decide to raise money for a homeless organisation, they could draw up an action plan,produce posters and write to the organisation explaining what they are hoping to do.• Many other organisations work to eliminate homelessness and support the homeless including theSimon Community, St. Vincent de Paul, etc. Encourage the children to find out more about these andother organisations and the services they offer.82