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Women CEO Sleeps on Streets for 10 Nights to Support Women Experiencing Homelessness
A Journey Through the Streets to Understand Homelessness
In the heart of the United Kingdom, one woman embarked on a transformative journey to highlight the struggles faced by women experiencing homelessness. Lianne Kirkman, the founder of The Esther Project, dedicated herself to understanding the harsh realities that individuals in her nonprofit serve. Over a span of ten nights in February this year, she took on a unique challenge: sleeping on the streets across various cities to experience firsthand the life of those who have nowhere to call home.
Starting her journey from Royal Leamington Spa on February 1, Kirkman traversed through Coventry, Birmingham, Bristol, Plymouth, Southampton, London, Doncaster, Hull, and Blackpool. Each stop wasn’t just a place to rest her head; it was an opportunity to learn and gain insights from other shelters and organizations dedicated to assisting women in crisis.
Insights Gained from Real Experiences
Kirkman’s mission was driven by a simple yet profound question: What does it mean to be a woman without a home? Her experiences on the street revealed a stark truth—many women do not feel safe in mixed-gender shelters. “Women don’t come because it’s not always safe for them to come,” she shared in a poignant video update. “If you’ve left domestic abuse, you’re not going to come to a male-dominated space.”
Throughout her nightly sojourns, she encountered various shelters focused solely on female populations, discovering effective care methods and support systems tailored to their unique needs. Kirkman noted, “There are some great projects out there,” reflecting her keen interest in identifying strategies that could make a difference in the lives of vulnerable women.
The Unique Struggles Faced by Women
The figures speak volumes—about 65% of individuals living in temporary accommodations in London are women. Yet many avoid these aid options due to safety concerns, leaving them exposed to the dangers of life on the streets. Kirkman emphasized the critical nature of trauma and safety, stating, “It’s not about homelessness. It’s all about trauma. It’s about how we’re responding through a gender lens.”
As Kirkman navigated her nights, she often found herself without a clear plan of where to sleep. Unlike their male counterparts, many women prefer to stay on the move rather than risk unsafety by settling down openly. “Women tend not to bed down because it’s not safe,” she explained, highlighting a gap in visibility during homeless counts—women often go unnoticed because they are less likely to be seen lying down in public.
A Journey of Awareness and Fundraising
Kirkman’s journey was not just about personal experience; it also served a greater purpose. As she documented her sleepless nights, she managed to raise over £14,000 (approximately $17,400 USD) for The Esther Project, aimed at establishing a new “one-stop-shop women’s center” in Warwickshire. She noted her initial fundraising goal was set at £5,000, but the overwhelming support blew her expectations out of the water.
“This was mainly a research project for me,” Kirkman stated in her heartfelt video update upon completion of her journey. “You’ve taught me a lot. I know what we need to do.” The financial support will pave the way for a dedicated space that offers comprehensive help for women in crisis, bridging a critical gap in services provided.
