Students Experience the Harsh Reality of ‘Cardboard City’

As part of Social Justice Week, students at City College Plymouth were stripped of all their luxuries to raise awareness of homelessness in Plymouth.

At both the College’s Kings Road and Goschen sites, the student common rooms and student areas were empty apart from cardboard boxes - gone was the pool table, juke box, Wii and television!

The event aimed to raise awareness of rough sleepers, homelessness and the support local agencies provide to people facing homelessness.

The students were expected to make their own entertainment and seating.  Many of the students entered into the spirit of things, making sleeping areas out of cardboard boxes and playing cards.

John Pakulski, Student Liaison Officer at the College said: “It’s been a really worthwhile awareness raising exercise. The students took the event very seriously and were prepared to really think about the harsh reality of homelessness.”

Awareness raising literature was made available, including the government’s agenda on homelessness prevention. The event was also supported by Shelter and Plymouth City Council.