'Emotional' service held in honour of homeless

Ryan, who has been homeless for three months, said he found the service "very emotional"

Tributes have been paid to 32 homeless people who have died in Southampton in 2024 at a remembrance service.

It is the second year homeless support organisations have come together to host the service at St Mary's Church.

Ryan, who has been homeless for three months, attended the event to pay tribute to his friend Simon McCarthy.

He said losing his friend after becoming homeless felt like "a piece just vanished".

It's the second year homeless support organisations have come together to host the service at St Mary's Church

He said: "[Simon] would keep everyone happy, even if we're down he would make us smile with his little puns, his little jokes but finding out when he had gone, that kind of broke my heart it's like a piece just vanished."

The commemoration brought together service providers who support those living on the street.

Ellie Hedge, a complex needs navigator from charity Change Grow Live, said: "I think it's good that we remember those that we've lost and obviously look back on it to think what we can improve and how we can reduce homelessness, reduce the amount of drugs in the city."

A spokesperson said the service was an opportunity for those who had known people who have died.

She added: "Especially others from our city’s homeless population, who may not have been invited to a family funeral, as well as a chance to raise awareness of the very low life expectancy of homeless people."

Attendees laid flowers in a meadow of remembrance to remain on display at St Mary's Church

Richard Gammage, chief executive of homelessness charity Two Saints, said: "Their life chances perhaps have not been the same, they will all have experienced trauma at some stage in their lives, nobody chooses to be homeless and it's an important mark of respect for people as we remember what they have contributed to us."

Among the people remembered during the service was one man whose identity is not known.

At the end of the event, attendees laid flowers in a meadow of remembrance to remain on display in the church.

Ryan said it felt like a reminder that people who are homeless have "got a voice, they've also got feelings".

He added: "It's amazing being part of a service that actually care about the homeless and not sat behind a desk thinking 'shall we pass him onto this person.'"