Closed on Mondays

Four women on a panel discussion with colorful backdrop reading 'Festival of Home' and "Behind the Door" campaign banner about female homelessness.

Behind the Door

Our campaign to change the way we think about homelessness.
Behind the Door was our campaign to change the way we think about homelessness, and to support our partners at the London Homeless Collective.

What we achieved

Raised £68,000 through our online auctions

Our lots included kind donations from Luke Edward Hall, Skye McAlpine, Maya Njie, Zandra Rhodes, Matches Fashion, Anya Hindmarch, Faye Toogood, Studio DeGournay, New Craftsmen, and Catarina Riccabona.

Hosted our inaugural Festival of Home

An exciting weekend exploring ideas of belonging, what belonging looks like at home, who’s granted belonging and where people belong. With talks, workshops and performances across the museum site, featuring Emma Dabiri, Onjali Q. Raúf, Nikesh Shukla, The Bitten Peach and Valerie Bloom. More about the speakers, performers and artists.

Supported the opening of the Marylebone Project

The Marylebone Project is London’s first 24-hour drop-in centre for women, and we are very proud to have played a part in its launch.

Behind the Door Winter Auction

Between 29 November to 1 December 2022, supporters bid in our Winter Auction for exclusive experiences and stunning designer pieces donated by leading UK designers and creatives.

We also:

  • Raised £25,000 through our first-ever Yard Sale
  • Increased awareness through our panel series Home Truths

 

When the general public thinks about homelessness, the image that comes to mind is often that of an older man who sleeps rough, but the issue is a lot more than that. With Museum of the Home, we will be able to explore the homelessness that is happening every day in London, often behind closed doors, and often with women and families. It's a challenging thought, but one that we are looking forward to exploring artistically and intelligently.

Rick Henderson, CEO of Homeless Link, on perceptions of homelessness

Watch and listen

The words Home Truths against background of green and brick orange.

Home Truths: Why women why now?

We discussed the impact of homelessness on women and families, why this is often invisible and what we can do to challenge perceptions and raise awareness.

The words Home Truths against background of green and brick orange.

Home Truths: Who’s holding the baby?

We explored the existing benefits system in the UK and the multiple ways in which single parents are affected by austerity.

Listen to Viv

Hear from Viv on Up With The Lark podcast, with contributions from Jermaine Gallacher and Lucy Littlewood, about the Behind the Door campaign supporting London’s homeless women and families.

Other past events

Home Truths: In conversation with Hallie Rubenhold

The conversation examined the life experiences particularly those of homelessness, poverty and desperation that the five women killed by Jack the Ripper experienced during the lead up to their deaths.

Find out more.

Home Truths: A note on the resilience of women in the face of crisis

Despite dire circumstances and not having stability or the safety of a home, many women manage to cope and build resilience. This session focussed on a viewing of Ellie Flynn’s Sex for Rent, examining the many shades of homelessness, and a panel discussion with experts on homelessness.

Find out more.

Home Truths: Intersections of Art and Policy

This session explored how art can influence perceptions of women’s experiences of home and displacement while championing policy change. 

Two people viewing black and white photography at an exhibition.

Are you a Changemaker?

Becoming a patron gives you a special relationship with the Museum, the curators, directors and fellow Changemakers.

Find out more