ACAP University College’s Melbourne campus was proud to facilitate an Industry & Alumni Event this week, hosting The Big Issue’s Understanding Homelessness webinar, in which two Big Issue workers generously shared their personal experiences of homelessness with attendees.
ACAP has helped support vital education around homelessness by The Big Issue, hosting an inspiring webinar, Sleeping on the Streets: How did they get there, and can we help them?, in Melbourne this week.
170 attendees on-site and online were inspired by the presentation, which included education around homelessness stereotypes and realities, as well as an address from two Big Issue employees, Danni and Shane, who shared their lived experiences.
Both Danni and Shane generously shared deeply personal stories of homelessness and their journey from childhood to their current lives, helping banish misconceptions, challenge stereotypes, and improve understanding of homelessness in Australia.
Cassie Watson, who organised the event for ACAP, said their stories were inspiring for everyone who attended.
“Both on-campus and online attendees were moved by their stories and grateful for their insight; lots of comments showing appreciation for Danni and Shane sharing their lived experience of homelessness and life in general were made, as were comments on their bravery,” she said.
“As expected, this topic generated lots of questions, from specific questions about The Big Issue and the vendors to bigger picture questions around the state of our housing crisis, the contributing factors to homelessness and what can be done.”
unpacking homlessness
The Big Issue is a social enterprise which provides ‘low-bar‘ work and sport opportunities for marginalised people to connect with the community and make positive changes in their lives under the ethos ‘helping people help themselves’.
Alongside the inspiring lived experience of Danni and Shane, attendees were given insight into the types of homelessness people experience, causes of homelessness, and how different people experience misfortune based upon their levels of finance and support.
Cassie said it was an invaluable opportunity for all attendees to increase their knowledge and understanding around an often-misunderstood experience.
She said ACAP was proud to help facilitate the session, as it fits in with the people-centered education ethos and positive world impact ACAP demonstrates in courses such as psychology, social work, criminology, coaching and counselling.
“ACAP students and staff resonate with this topic throughout all our disciplines, and it’s important to engage with our community and with businesses that align with what we teach,” she said.
“Raising awareness about highly publicised and talked about topics like homelessness, drug addiction, mental health is so important because it breaks down barriers and helps to eliminate the stigma quite often attached to them.”
Danya Sterling, The Big Issue’s Education Enterprises and Program Development Manager said the support of educational institutions like ACAP is very important.
“Events such as these provide a valuable, real-life insight into the homelessness and disadvantage experienced by thousands of Australians every night,” she said.
“They break down stereotypes and build empathy, and the opportunity to host them in spaces like the ones provided by ACAP is invaluable in helping The Big Issue Classroom reach more people and share this experience.”
