UK’s first Homeless Memorial Garden opened at South Liverpool’s Dutch Farm

The Homeless Memorial Garden is in South Liverpool’s Dutch Farm. It’s a recreational space for service users of YMCA Together to engage in development activities around agricultural work as well as tending to livestock including chickens and pigs. It’s the UK’s first memorial to commemorate those who have sadly lost their lives whilst homeless.

Unfortunately, people in the homeless community lose their lives far younger than most – the average age of death for homeless women is 45 and 47 for men. YMCA Together say they want to ensure that these individuals are not just another statistic and instead that their memory is kept alive.

The Homeless Memorial Garden has been designed by the team at YMCA Together and its service users who have been involved in every element of the project. This collaborative process aims to aid wellbeing and offers a sense of closure alongside a celebration of life in a peaceful and reflective space at Dutch Farm.

The area includes a plaque wall commemorating the names of those who have died as well as providing a tranquil space for contemplation. The farm houses an abundance of vegetation to represent new hope.

Philip was living on the streets just under three years ago, the YMCA were able to place him in a hostel, got him a place in a detox centre and now they’ve been able to provide him with permanent housing. He said he thinks the memorial garden is great as he lost a number of friends on the streets and it’s nice they’re being remembered.

Chief Executive of YMCA Together Ellie McNeil said: “This year, YMCA Together celebrates its 175^th birthday and as part of marking this milestone we have been developing a memorial garden for people who have died whilst homeless to provide a welcoming space for friends and families to come to mourn the loss of their loved ones and celebrate their lives.