Join us in making a difference
Arty Hanns, educating children on people experiencing homelessness.
Join us in making a difference
About Arty Hanns
Amber, Samantha, and Darren have come together to launch Arty Hanns, a community project designed to raise awareness about homelessness in Oxfordshire. The project was inspired by Amber’s personal connection
to the issue, having witnessed her own sister, Hannah,
experience homelessness.
Amber has made it her mission through her project Amber Lights in Oxford to highlight the challenges faced by people without stable housing and to engage the wider community in supporting them.
To bring this vision to life, Amber partnered with Samantha, who runs her creative business, Hartist, leading art workshops. Together, they designed an educational workshop that was piloted in selected Oxfordshire schools. The workshops encouraged children to think about their own hopes and dreams for the future, and to express them through artwork. A key component in the workshops was Hannah’s Story, that was bought to life by Samantha, sparking questions from children and encouraging kindness through the expression of visuals. The artwork on the Donation Station Boxes is the fantastic work of the students involved in the
Arty Hanns workshop.
Whilst Samantha has overseen the creative areas of the project, Amber has knelt on her experience and contacts ensuring that the project was created with empathy and found the best ways to present this to children. The success of Arty Hanns has been made possible through the dedication of Amber and Samantha, alongside the generous support of Darren Managing Director at Mirius. Darren has provided art materials and educational packs for the workshops, as well as overseeing the production of the donation boxes. Together, this collaboration has created a pilot project that combines creativity, education, and community action to make a positive difference in Oxfordshire.
Information
Ways you can help
- Donate to a homeless charity: Consider donating money directly or enquiring with the charity to see if they need any specific items donated.
- Fundraise: School cake sales, sponsored silence, fun runs, the possibilities are endless!
- Volunteering (18+): Consider volunteering and/or offering up services (hair dressing, beauty, barbering etc) to homeless charities.
- Toiletry Donations: Donate to an ‘Arty Hanns’ toiletry donation box or create your own mini box! Collect shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste. Add to a little box and drop off to a local homeless charity.
Homeless Charities in Oxford
- Oxfordshire Homeless Movement
- Homeless Oxfordshire
- The Gatehouse Oxford
- The Porch Oxford
- Crisis Skylight Oxford
- Aspire Oxford
- Emmaus Oxford Community
Questions by school children after reading Hannah's Story
Q: Did Hannah have any family that could help?
A: Hannah did have a family however her needs were complex and she needed professional support. This is what professionally trained people at the shelter offered her. Hannah's family were then able to visit and support her alongside the shelters support.
Q: Why did Hannah not talk?
A: Hannah did not want to worry anyone so she pretended to be ok and not talk to anyone. This is why it is important to talk about your feelings. If something is bothering you, no matter how big or how small, it is also best to speak to someone that you trust.
Quotes taken from children after participating in the Arty Hanns Workshop:
“I learnt not to hide my feelings”
“I learnt that it is better to say experiencing homelessness over homeless person”
“I learnt that homelessness is not forever, there is hope”
“I learnt new ways to help homeless charities”