Visits

A visit from St Martins Housing Trust

Last Wednesday we had a visit from St Martins Housing Housing trust which is a charity for the homeless based in Norwich. We had an assembly where we learned loads of facts about homeless people. At the end of the talk the Community Ambassadors went to the library and we got to ask lots of questions so that we could find out more information and ideas about fundraising. Liam 7S

Two people came into our school to talk to us about Homelessness. We were given a presentation  and some of us got to ask some more questions afterwards. This is what Stanton in 7B said about the talk: “ The assembly was great and it got the point across that homeless people are just like us, but have sometimes made a mistake in their lives”. I thought the presentation was very interesting and I learnt a lot. It really made the students think and understand that life isn’t always happy for some people and that one mistake can affect you whole life. However, it is really good to know that there are organisations like St Martins who help people find a home and get back on track.  Maisie M 7S

Nicola King told us how the Trust first started in St Martin’s church in Norwich, where people could come in and shelter overnight, sleep eat and shower, but would have to leave at 7am the next morning. The staff there realised that the same people kept coming back, and decided that they needed to expand. St Martins approached people for help and begin building housing to take people of the streets.  We learnt that at Bishopsbridge House they educate people, get them to doctors and dentists, help them with disabilities and sort out criminal offences. She explained to us that some people need help with addictions to drugs and alcohol and some need help just because they moved to Norwich for a job which does not exist. St Martins will help anyone! Jessica 8B

Nicola said that not all homeless people want to be helped because they have been living outside for so long that they find it difficult to live inside. We were given the opportunity to ask lots of questions. I asked “Does St. Martins Housing Trust take in animals?” They said that they do take in dogs if the homeless person already has one, but they can’t go out and buy one once they have moved in. I will never forget that day. Ellie 7S.

Our Creative Writing Community Ambassadors with Nicola King and David from St. Martins Housing Trust.


David’s Story
St Martins Housing Trust is a homeless charity based in Norwich. A man called David came in to tell us about his experience of being homeless. David became homeless when his parents kicked him out. David mostly sofa surfed, which means he relied on friends to house him. I found it interesting learning all about his life and how he dealt with the situation. David has now got a new home and works for St. Martins to help others that are homeless. Cerys 7B

David told us how he started an apprenticeship to train as A farmer and then began working for his dad’s friends. With money in his pocket he began enjoying the glamor of clubs and pubs where he became addicted to alcohol. Eventually he was thrown out of his family home. He then worked on cargo ships and had a series of jobs where he had to travel, so he did not have a permanent address or have to make many decisions. When he came back he slept on the sofa at relatives and friends houses, but people soon became fed up with this.  His addiction to alcohol and drugs worsened, but when he reached rock bottom he managed with the support of St Martins to turn himself around.  David said that he was lucky because although he was homeless he never had to sleep in the street. He told us “Make sure you make the right decisions in life” Jessica  8B