Route Highlights
During the night we will have a number of refreshment stops along the route, but not just at any old place. We have partnered up with some of London's most interesting organisations who have kindly agreed, for one night only, to open their doors for us.
The House of St Barnabas
A real focal point in the life of London's Soho and the West End, the House of St Barnabas has been helping homeless people change their lives for over 160 years. The House provides a unique environment where people receive support and guidance. The recently modernised Life Skills Programme offers coaching, skills development, therapies, health advice, work opportunities, art, music and gardening.
www.hosb.org.uk
Beyond Boyle Foundation Social Enterprise Programme
Our vision is to give aspiration and inspiration to people in need of transition and full time employment.
The Beyond Boyle's Foundation provides fantastic work experience and on-the-job skills training for people that have experienced homelessness. To help propel them into not just full time employment but onto a flourishing career path.
Beyond Boyles unique programme provides support, training and progression planning for trainees to regain their self esteem, belief and confidence needed to accomplish full employability. They partner with their parent company Beyond Boyle Ltd who contributes in kind to the Foundation and provides the valuable work experience and employment opportunities to the trainees, apprentices and graduates.
www.beyondboyle.com/foundation/
The Foundling Museum
Britain's original home for abandoned children and London's first ever public art gallery
The Foundling Museum tells the story of the Foundling Hospital, London’s first home for abandoned children, and of three major figures in British history: its campaigning founder the philanthropist Thomas Coram, the artist William Hogarth and the composer George Frideric Handel. The Museum’s remarkable, nationally-important collections are housed in a restored and refurbished building adjacent to the original site of the Hospital, which is now Coram Fields children’s playground.
The Museum holds a collection of eighteenth century paintings and sculptures, brought about by the involvement of William Hogarth who not only donated works himself but encouraged his fellow artists to do the same, including Reynolds and Gainsborough making the Foundling Hospital England’s first public art gallery. The Museum is also home to the Gerald Coke Handel Collection, the largest privately-owned collection of Handel memorabilia. George Frideric Handel gave annual fundraising performances of Messiah, playing regularly in the Foundling Chapel.
www.foundlingmuseum.org.uk
The Roundhouse
From modest Victorian beginnings – as a steam engine repair shed – to legendary cultural venue, the Roundhouse has an enviable heritage few are able to match.
The Roundhouse is a pioneer of contemporary culture and has continually pushed boundaries. Today, the Roundhouse offers diversity in music, theatre, dance and circus, in addition to nurturing young creative talent.
www.roundhouse.org.uk
The BFI IMAX
The BFI (British Film Institute) promotes understanding and appreciation of Britain's rich film and television heritage and culture. Established in 1933, the BFI runs a range of activities and services.
The BFI IMAX on London's South Bank has the largest cinema screen in the UK. Films shown in 2D, 3D and IMAX DMR immerse the audience in larger-than-life images accompanied by 12,000 watts of digital surround sound.
The BFI IMAX is also built above an area in London which has a very strong connection to homelessness within the City. Known as The Bull Ring, during the 1980’s and 1990’s, the area became a part of the homeless landscape in London.
Sited by many as the original 'Cardboard City' in London, the Bull Ring existed in the shadow of Waterloo railway station for 15 years. In the mid-1980s the site was home to up to 200 people sleeping rough in cardboard boxes.
www.bfi.org.uk
The Big Issue Vendors
This walk has the full support of our Big Issue Vendors. Vendors have worked, and will be working, on all aspects of the walk from recruitment, concepts, marshalling on the night and joining in the walk. We hope that through your support we will be able to have many of those who have helped join us on the night.
