St Mungo’s

At the 2026 Arts by the Sea Festival, homelessness charity and local outreach provider, St Mungo’s is presenting a unique installation designed to shine a light on the stories of women experiencing homelessness in Bournemouth.
Bright orange shoes have been placed in a number of locations across the festival site, each with their own story to tell. Visitors can hear these audio stories by scanning the QR codes attached to each pair.
The stories, told by the women we’ve supported, and by members of the team, provide a uniquely personal viewpoint of homelessness that is often hidden from view: sofa surfing, living in unsafe situations, or avoiding public spaces due to fear of harm.

The team will also be established at the Community Hub, where visitors are encouraged to come and ask questions, learn more, and leave messages of hope for people experiencing and recovering from homelessness in the local area.

Together, we believe we can end homelessness in Bournemouth and nationwide.

“This installation is an opportunity to shine a light on experiences that are often overlooked. Every day our team meets people with remarkable strength and resilience who are navigating extremely difficult circumstances. Through this piece, we hope to encourage understanding, start meaningful conversations, and remind people that homelessness is a human issue that affects our whole community.” Lindsay Lyall, St Mungo’s Bournemouth Service Manager