The Museum of Homelessness in Finsbury Park reopened its doors to the public this spring to tell untold stories of the homeless community.
The museum put down roots in Haringey in 2023 as a space to call home for those with lived experience of homelessness.
Based in the former gatekeeper’s cottage by the entrance of Manor House station, it is believed to be the first of its kind to archive and collect items donated by people with experience of homelessness, and welcomed vistors from 17 April.
Community volunteer Gary Birdsall said: “To be the only homeless community in the UK is fantastic.
“We get visitors from all over the world.”
Jess Turtle who founded the museum with her husband Matt Turtle in 2014.
She said: “Ten years on, it [homelessness] is getting worse, so if we can educate on that it’s really important.
“The experience of hearing the stories and connecting with the objects that way changes peoples’ neural pathways from one of disgust to affirmation.”
Co-founder Matt Turtle added: “When people visit the museum, they aren’t segmented into being a visitor or audience member or a statistic in a report.”
Museum storyteller Ben Smithies retold three accounts of donated objects to the museum, including two anonymised stories.
He said: “The museum is helping the community where people can share a meal and art at the same time.”
The ASBO issued by police from 2003-2014, under section 45 of the Antisocial Behaviour Act 2003 was given to a donor told to leave their area of London for doing outreach work.
The tea caddy, donated by Paul Atherton, 52, recalled how drinking Lapsang Souchong tea, bought from Harrods, became an annual tradition when homeless during COVID-19.
Jess said: “These smaller more activist responses to homelessness don’t really have a home, particularly lived-experience led responses to homelessness where survivors have made their own solutions.”
The community first museum closes to the public in winter to provide emergency services, but remains open to the homeless community throughout.
Volunteer Alan Jones said: “We don’t ask about people’s circumstances.
“People turn up to have a bowl of soup, a cup of coffee and chat.”
The Museum housed 20 people through a scheme with Haringey Welcome, but has seen a rise in all forms of homelessness in Finsbury Park, which surrounds Hackney, Haringey and Islington.
Jess said: “We fund the first month’s rental deposit so people can get back on their feet after coming out of the immigration system.”
London Councils 2024 data show boroughs spent over £900m on homelessness in 2024-25 – an increase of 40% compared to 2023-24.
A 2024 investigation by the Museum of Homelessness found that 42% of people are dying while sleeping rough.
Jess said: “Since COVID-19 there has been a shutdown of community shelters.
“We would like people to feel we can make community solutions.
“The sheer increase in pressure on councils means we are doing more with our pastoral care, and practical support with trying to safeguard people.”
The Museum of Homelessness is open free to the public until 1 November 2025, but donations are encouraged.
Tickets are available to book online.
Picture credit: Ruth Hudson
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