Homelessness Commemoration Service

Saint Mary’s Church hosted the city’s first commemoration service for those who have been homeless and died. 62 people were named in the moving service to remember them. Aged as young as 24 years old, the people’s names were read out and the stories of five lives were given tributes by representatives from churches, faith organisations, hostels and charities. The personal stories were the highlight of the service that was added to with poems, music from St Joseph’s Choir and readings. The Lord Mayor, Cllr Valerie Lauren read a poem by Bev Webb called the Telephone Box, commenting on social media: What a special and moving service yesterday for the homeless community. Honoured and humbled to read the poem on behalf of the City , remembering those who have died. God be with them, RIP

The church was full as family and friends, staff from hostels and charity representatives along with councillors and council staff attended to pay their respects. The Bishop of Southampton, Debbie Sellin, spoke at the event and prayers were led by Monsignor Vincent Harvey.

Organiser Pam Campbell said: “There is an annual event like this in London every year and I wanted to do the same for people in Southampton.We decided to commemorate all the homeless people that have died in the city since the start of the first lockdown.”

Before closing, those attending were each invited to tie a rainbow coloured piece of wool on to a net, to renew their commitment to the safety net for those who are vulnerable and at risk of homelessness, and to make their own prayer for those they cared for. The service ended with a bagpipe playing Amazing Grace and a collection was made at the end of the service for the benefit of local homeless charities.

Paul Woodman, the leader of City Life Church, said: “We have had people that we are commemorating here today, come into our churches around Southampton so it is very important to myself and my organisation to pay tribute to them.

“What’s really sad to me is that these people have died without even enough money for their own funeral – no one should die like that and that is why we are here today.”