Fifty years ago when St Martins was established it was hoped that things would improve. People shouldn’t be sleeping on the streets – not in 1972 or in 2022. The fact that we are still here supporting people experiencing homelessness fifty years later is not something to celebrate.
However, we are marking the anniversary this year to acknowledge the huge impact we have had on tens of thousands of lives.
On a rather gloomy night in autumn Alan said to him, “Eddie, where are you going to sleep tonight?” Margaret Webster remember Eddie, the first person to be supported by St Martins.
It may have taken 50 years of twists, turns and challenges but we are now closer to ending rough sleeping on the streets of Norwich than ever before.
In 1972 Revd David Clark got involved with St Martins and gave voluntary time in several ways on the committee. He became Chair of Trustees until 1985. David's reflections are as relevant today as they were when they were written in the 1990s.
From humble beginnings in a redundant church building in 1972, St Martins has grown into an organisation that supports over 300 people at any one time.
Dereham-based graphic designer Matt Walker has created the '50 years' logo we are using to mark our anniversary in 2022.
An exhibition marking 50 years of life saving work will be held from Wednesday June 22nd - Saturday June 25th at The Forum in Norwich.
We've come a long way since the Norwich Night Shelter days and we've developed a lot over the years.