Outside Belfast Homeless Services, the yellow weather warning provided a gloomy outlook overhead but inside their facility on King Street, people came together
A warm and friendly atmosphere greeted those who joined Belfast Homeless Services for their annual Christmas dinner earlier today (Sunday). While the streets outside were cold and dark, festive cheer filled the charity’s city centre facility.
Now in its sixth year, the event welcomed 95 guests and around 45 volunteers who came together to share a Christmas meal, conversation and carol singing from a choir. The dinner continues to grow year-on-year, with many in the community now seeing it as an important occasion.
Belfast Homeless Services spokesperson James McGinn said: “It’s not nice on the streets. People can come here and they’re not standing on street corners with traffic going past. Here, they have comfort, dignity and safety. They can wash, shower and get fresh clothing in a safe, controlled environment.
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“If you look around tonight, it’s respectful. It looks like any other restaurant. When it’s not set up like this, it’s a very well-run service for people who are just like the rest of us – they’re human beings.
“We provide shelter, clothing, food and a safe place for people who are homeless or marginalised. We’ve progressed into counselling and signposting services, and we’ve fully trained 70 volunteers who help those who come through our doors.
“Today is about giving our guests a proper Christmas. They’ll have a full dinner served to them, Santa will visit, there’s a choir, and there’s a real sense of belonging. They even get excited to see Santa. We also give out thermal clothing and hygiene parcels.”
Marie Marshall, 28, originally from Cookstown, Co Tyrone, is currently homeless and said she hopes to move into permanent accommodation after battling drug addiction. She has been clean for a year and has spent the past couple of years sofa surfing and living on the streets.
She said: “I don’t want to be on the streets any longer. A friend of mine died two days ago from freezing on the streets. When you’re living like this, you don’t know what’s around the corner, and I don’t want to see any more people dying.
“I come here a lot. If I have problems, I come here. They give me housing referrals regularly. Winter is especially hard, and being on the streets as a young woman is frightening – you don’t know who to trust and nights aren’t safe.
“I see Belfast Homeless Services as family. Christmas here is brilliant every year. I never miss it. It’s not just the food – it’s the company, the laughter, the games. I’d rather be here every Christmas.”
Marie said she hopes to achieve stability, work towards a career in acting or singing, reconnect with her family and one day have a family of her own.
James added: “Most people we support aren’t begging. You might see them sleeping rough, and sometimes people turn a blind eye. The public are often kind, but homelessness needs a joined-up approach – less duplication and more collaboration.
“There’s a misconception that everyone who’s homeless is on drugs or begging. That’s not true. Some have mental health challenges, others just want somewhere safe. They deserve the basics – shelter, food and water – just like anyone else.
“We rely on the kindness of businesses and individuals to survive. We need government, public bodies and the business community to recognise what we do and help us in our quest to be sustainable.”
He said homelessness affects people of all ages and backgrounds, adding many are only a few missed pay cheques away from being at risk.
Marie encouraged people to engage with those sleeping rough, who are often experiencing loneliness.
She said: “A lot of people walk past us. All we ask for is kindness, warmth and respect. We’re still people, even if we don’t have a home.
“Stop and have a conversation. You don’t have to give money – even a chat goes a long way. A little talk really does mean a lot.”
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