All generations must fight homelessness

It is incredibly important that our younger generations learn about and get involved in solving the homelessness crisis.

That’s according to musician Sophie McCarthy who is a member of Misneach, an all-female hip hop group based in Cork.

Sophie, 19, and her five bandmates are taking part in the Big Busk on Friday, a nationwide event that calls on musicians to come together and use music to fight homelessness. It will be the second year in a row that Misneach take part in the event.

Organised by homeless charity Focus Ireland and Today FM, the Cork leg of the Big Busk takes place at the Marina Market in Cork city tomorrow (Friday) from 12-7pm.

Last year, Focus Ireland supported 680 households in Cork who were homeless or at risk of homelessness. According to the latest figures, a record number of more than 13,840 people, including 4,170 children, are now homeless in Ireland.

Speaking to the Cork Independent, Sophie McCarthy said last year’s event was a huge success and a testament to the enormous role music can play in fighting issues like homelessness.

“I think anything that needs to be said can be said through music; it's something that I really strongly believe,” said Sophie. “I think it is so incredibly important that the younger generations, even young kids should be made aware of this.

“I feel there is a lot that has yet to be done and it's going to take time and I feel like every generation needs to be working together because you can't solve anything on your own.

If everybody comes together, something is bound to happen,” added Sophie.

Misneach, whose music focuses on women’s issues, have released numerous songs and videos promoting female empowerment with the goal of encouraging young women to be themselves, and educating the community on the many challenges they face.

Sophie continued: “Our core message is that we were spreading light on women's issues that nobody had really heard about, so being able to take our music and help something else that isn't heard about as much as it should be is absolutely incredible.”

The Big Busk campaign, now in its third year, has raised over €615,000 in funds to date for Focus Ireland’s vital homelessness services. The charity began work in Cork in 2007 and now provides 152 homes throughout the city and county.

As well as tomorrow’s event, Focus Ireland is also calling on Cork musicians, choirs, singers, buskers, community groups, and schools – whether they are solo artists, or part of a group – to host their own Big Busk events and help raise funds for Focus Ireland.

Cork native and Today FM presenter, Matt Cooper, said: “The latest figures to come from the Department of Housing are truly a worrying sight. The homeless crisis in Ireland is a huge problem that needs addressing, and we need your help to do so.”

Focus Ireland CEO, Pat Dennigan, said: “Homelessness in Ireland is now the worst it has ever been. It is heartbreaking that over 4,170 of these people are children.

No child should be homeless as Ireland is a wealthy country. We must end this scandalous crisis.

“We know that as a country we can solve homelessness. If Ireland as a country can come together, as Focus Ireland, TodayFM, our buskers and the public donating will be joining together for The Big Busk, we will really help work towards easing this awful human crisis,” he added.

Support the Big Busk campaign by donating at todayfm.com/busk or through the Revolut app.