This workshop is all about getting into the mind-set of someone who doesn't have a roof over their head. The aim is to give people an idea of what it might be like to be homeless.

1. Collect as many large cardboard boxes as possible.
2. Think what a homeless person might have with them that would be useful for making a shelter. Sellotape and staples are not allowed. Gather all these things together for you to use to build your shelter.
3. Split into groups of maximum three and build a shelter. The only requirements are that it must have a roof and fit all of the group members in it.
4. Marks will be awarded for the most stable structure and ones which are as comfortable as possible.
5. Decorate your shelter and fill it with things that a homeless person might find useful. What would you miss if you were homeless? Think about things like warmth and drainage.
6. What would you do if you didn’t have cardboard? What could you use or do instead?
7. Would you be happy living in your shelter? Would you miss home?
8. Is there a homeless person near who you could give your shelter to?

This is a good workshop to lead into a new project based on homelessness. This workshop also works excellently with a sleep out, as you can use the shelters you have just made in the sleep out and turn a fun afternoon into an excellent fundraiser or reflection activity.