There’s no place like home – a local Plymouth artist challenges the issues of homelessness through her own experience.
On Friday, March 8, Shelter Devon and Cornwall orchestrated a vibrant evening celebrating art, music, and activism. The event showcased a thought-provoking art exhibition addressing the pressing housing and homelessness issues in the city.
Plymouth-based women’s charity Trevi, a local beacon of support for women, seized the opportunity to champion one of their own, Carole, whose compelling artwork took pride of place at the exhibition. Carole, a talented artist with personal experience of domestic abuse and homelessness, poured her heart into creating a poignant piece titled ‘There’s No Place Like Home.’ Her installation, rich with emotion, navigates themes of nostalgia and sorrow, offering a profound reflection on the challenges faced by those without secure housing or homelessness.
Reflecting on her contribution, Carole said, ‘I was honoured to produce a piece of work for the Shelter exhibition as I felt it was important to help raise awareness of the great work that they are doing in Plymouth. I have my own lived experience and can appreciate how important it is to have services like this available; I also chose to link my project to Trevi as their support has also been invaluable to both myself and the ladies they support from day to day.’
Hannah Shead, Trevi CEO, attended the event and said, ‘We were delighted to share this amazing experience with Carole. Her dedication to this project is a true testament to her strength and resilience. Through art, activism, and community support, we unite against homelessness and abuse. Together, we empower women to find strength and healing, create spaces where their voices can be heard, and support every woman who finds her home. Well done, Carole.’
Event organisers said, ‘The event was more than just a celebration of art and music – it's a rallying cry for change where the organisers invited individuals to contemplate the diverse narratives, resilience, and collaborative efforts in our communities that are vital in addressing the housing emergency facing this country.’
The Shelter event also featured electrifying performances from local talent, including TJ Stanly, Jessie Mullen, The Parkside Duo, and Daisy Mae.
Trevi continues to support more than 1,000 women every year across four centres and an outreach programme. Almost all the women Trevi supports have a history of trauma and abuse, and more than a third have housing needs.
To find out more about the services available to support victims of domestic abuse, please visit www.trevi.org.uk
