The Museum of Homelessness has opened in a permanent home in Finsbury Park, north London after operating as a touring exhibition for the past decade.
The world’s first museum of its kind tells the stories of those living on the streets through exhibits, performances, talks and workshops – all created by people with experience of homelessness.
Led by founders husband and wife Matt Turtle and Jess Turtle, the museum secured its new home at Manor House Lodge in Finsbury Park in 2022.
The Museum of Homelessness runs a series of ticketed experiences and events for the public during its operating season of May through November.
National collection for homelessness
“Hopefully people can learn a lot, but I hope people can continue to engage with the museum after the exhibit too,” Matt Turtle told the Evening Standard.
“I think homelessness should be a year round consideration in people’s minds, as often it’s something that people just think about at Christmas.”
The museum’s opening exhibit is titled ‘How to Survive the Apocalypse‘, on view until the end of November. The museum says the 90-minute show is a chance to learn from and listen to people with the skills to deal with the end of the world.
Many of the museum’s experiences are free. However, if an event does cost money, free tickets are given to people who are experiencing homelessness or struggling. This is available as a booking option, with no questions asked.
Guests who can pay are encouraged to do so, as any money made goes towards paying staff a good wage. Everyone in the museum crew is paid the same rate – the national average wage for museums (£34,800 per annum).
Any money left over goes towards supporting the community in the colder months. Last year, the new museum spent £59,826 on sleeping bags, socks, housing costs, therapy, storage, and other essentials.
Images courtesy of the Museum of Homelessness
