Manchester Police back use of the arts to help the homeless

The arts are a vital asset in the fight against the damaging effects of homelessness, the Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner has said. Speaking at a conference on poverty and theatre he said participation in performing and visual arts can limit the likelihood of homeless people’s vulnerability to crime and anti-social behaviour, and can improve their chances of finding stable accommodation and employment opportunities. He described a partnership between Manchester’s Booth Centre and the Royal Exchange Theatre, which has helped 80 participants move to more stable accommodation, 46 gain a new qualification and 6 find paid employment, as “offering inarguable proof that well-managed projects of this nature have a benefit to society as a whole”. He concluded: “It is undoubtedly a valuable role that the arts are increasingly playing in putting lives back on track, and arts organisations should be supported to fulfil that role.”

The speech coincided with the publication of Get Creative: Art For All, a new report by charity Homeless Link, recommending continued investment in arts projects for homeless people. The report calls for organisations to embrace the arts and creative projects, think innovatively about ways to inspire change in homeless people and move away from traditional methods of support.