Advertisement
Housing

Rhys Ifans: ‘We can all tackle homelessness’

Welsh actor backs new Shelter Cymru campaign giving the public practical ways to help

When confronted by the misery of homelessness, many people are left overwhelmed and confused about whether solutions are possible.

Actor Rhys Ifans has launched a new campaign empowering people to tackle the problem. “People need to understand that homelessness is something we can all do something about,” he said.

The Welsh actor is fronting the Shelter Cymru campaign “7 ways you can end homelessness”.

Some of the proactive ways to help suggested by Ifans and Shelter Cymru include volunteering in outreach services, sending alerts to Streetlink about rough sleepers who may need help, reporting empty homes and campaigning for more affordable housing.

An end to homelessness is possible, if we work together

Ifans, who played a homeless man caught up in the Occupy movement in the 2013 play Protest Song, said: “I find it shocking that every year in Wales more than 2,800 children have to go through the trauma of homelessness. This should not be happening in the 21st century.”

“An end to homelessness is possible, if we work together,” he added.

Advertisement
Advertisement

More than 15,000 people in Wales become homeless each year, including 2,800 children with families trapped in a cycle of B&Bs and emergency accommodation.

Vulnerability to homelessness affects even more people. According to Shelter, a further 10,000 people in Wales come within days of losing their home each year, and in 2016 19,000 people used the charity’s services.

For more, go to Shelter Cymru.

Advertisement

Change a vendor's life this Christmas

This Christmas, 3.8 million people across the UK will be facing extreme poverty. Thousands of those struggling will turn to selling the Big Issue as a vital source of income - they need your support to earn and lift themselves out of poverty.

Recommended for you

Read All
Rents in UK are rising at highest rate in decades. Will they keep going up?
rents uk
Renting

Rents in UK are rising at highest rate in decades. Will they keep going up?

Mum-of-three hit with 'revenge eviction' after asking for repairs: 'It felt like the end of the world'
Hazell and her three kids faced homelessness until Shelter stepped in
Renting

Mum-of-three hit with 'revenge eviction' after asking for repairs: 'It felt like the end of the world'

Housing minister admits Labour's 1.5 million homes promise will be 'more difficult than expected'
Labour housing minister Matthew Pennycook
Housebuilding

Housing minister admits Labour's 1.5 million homes promise will be 'more difficult than expected'

Surging rental prices are dwarfing inflation – and not enough people are talking about it
To Let signs to attract renters
RENTING

Surging rental prices are dwarfing inflation – and not enough people are talking about it

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
4.

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue