An exhibition marking 50 years of life saving work will be held throughout July at St Martins at Palace Plain Church.
St Martins was established in 1972 with the opening of the Norwich Night Shelter in a redundant church building and has grown significantly over the decades into the largest homelessness charity in Norfolk.
The exhibition in the church, the premises of the Norwich Historic Churches Trust, will feature a timeline showcasing pictures from the archives documenting how the charity has grown, as well as archive film footage and information about current activities.
Team members and people supported by St Martins will be on hand to talk about their experiences. There will also be items for sale, including a cookbook, tote bags and ‘teds in beds’ – a creative knitting project undertaken by the supporters of St Martins to help raise funds and awareness. A giant pyramid depicting ‘Maslow’s hierarchy of need’ within the context of St Martins’ services will be on display, along with craft activities for children to take part in.
Part of the charity’s mission is to increase understanding and compassion towards people experiencing homelessness in the community through education and advocacy. Chief Executive Dr Jan Sheldon said, “The exhibition will be an ideal opportunity to showcase our work and to speak to people about how they can best support us. St Martins has developed over the decades thanks to the support of local people and the exhibition is an opportunity to celebrate the lives that have been impacted by our work. We have provided a roof over the heads of an estimated 25,000 people in the fifty years we have been running, plus the specialist support needed to help them move on to live independently.”
The exhibition will be open throughout the month of July in the Norwich Historic Churches Trust at St Martin-At-Palace Plain, 15, St Martin at Palace Plain, Norwich, Norfolk NR3 1RW open Tuesdays and Thursdays 10am – 4pm.
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