For many people, Christmas begins by decorating a tree, but for the 172,420 children in England spending the festive season in temporary accommodation, the reality looks very different.
Families who are homeless will often face months, if not years, in cramped, insecure temporary accommodation, with little or no support. Their experience is only worsened by bitter isolation, as many are displaced miles away from their extended families, schools, and communities. Brand new analysis from Shelter on the latest government statutory homelessness statistics reveals that on average, households in temporary accommodation have spent over two and a half years (996 days), stuck there while they seek a safe and secure place to call home.
To highlight the growing number of children living in temporary accommodation, B&Q and Shelter have partnered with acclaimed artist and homelessness activist David Tovey. Together, they have created a powerful visual statement about the growing number of children without a place to call home at Christmas.
Drawing on his own lived experience of growing up in temporary accommodation, being street homeless and working closely with Shelter to gather real-life insights from families, Tovey has created a forest of 172 ‘Temporary Trees’ to represent the 172,420 children spending this Christmas homeless. Each of Tovey’s five unique, childlike tree designs tells a story — reflecting the reality of children and families trying to celebrate Christmas in cramped, unsuitable, and often bleak conditions, and the toll that living in temporary accommodation takes on children’s lives.
First unveiled last night at Shelter’s Carol Concert reception at St Martin-in-the-Fields, London, the ‘Temporary Trees’ designs will be displayed in B&Q stores across the UK and Ireland in December. This Christmas, £1 from every real tree sold at B&Q will go to Shelter, and between 1–7 December, B&Q will match customer donations made in store through Pennies.
David Tovey, artist and homelessness activist said: “This project is deeply personal. I know what it’s like to grow up without a home, to feel fear, shame and uncertainty every day. I’ve also seen the courage and hope of children living through the same struggles today. These 172 Christmas trees aren’t just symbols, they’re a way to make children visible, to remind everyone that behind every number is a real child who deserves to be seen, believed in, and given the chance to thrive.”
The Temporary Trees
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Ordinary Ornaments
Having spent time in temporary accommodation, Tovey draws inspiration from his own childhood, when his mother would craft a DIY Christmas tree from simple, household items. These inventive creations ranged from a simple mug stand, to coat hanger ‘tree branches’ with mugs, tea bags, and spoons added as ornaments. This tree embodies the challenge of preserving the joy of Christmas, using only what is at hand – a struggle faced by many families striving to keep the magic alive for their children, regardless of their housing circumstances.
The Gift That Matters
Recalling a deeply personal memory of Christmas, this tree depicts the lengths Tovey’s parents would go to to provide festive joy for their children despite the challenges faced in temporary accommodation.
Tovey shares: “We didn’t have much money, but somehow Mum and Dad always managed to get us presents. One year, we came downstairs and there was no Christmas tree but I had a pig-shaped money box. That was it – no tree, just the pig.”
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Stars Seeking Shelter
Having grown up against the backdrop of temporary accommodation this tree explores Tovey’s feelings on the long-term effects of a childhood shrouded by uncertainty.
Tovey shares: “The branches are adorned with 172 stars, each one representing over 172,000 children living in temporary accommodation in England, struggling to shine their brightest.”
Time in Temporary
Tovey has designed this tree to reflect the long stretches of time young people are in temporary accommodation. Many households in England have spent three Christmases waiting for a safe and secure place to call home and this tree shows that passage of time, illustrated through birthday memorabilia such as cards, cakes and candles. The passing of the seasons are marked by tulips for spring, peonies for summer, lightning strikes during autumn and snow for winter.
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Hazardous Housing
This tree draws on Tovey’s experiences and Shelter’s real life insights from families in temporary accommodation, creatively depicting conditions ‘unsuitable’ for children to live in.
Tovey shares: “So much temporary accommodation is completely unsuitable for families to live in. I have included a “No Ball Games” sign at the bottom – a reference to how, in temporary accommodation there is often nowhere safe where children are allowed to play. For me, losing the ability to play is one of the biggest losses of my childhood. And that’s exactly what happens when you’re stuck in temporary accommodation: there’s simply no space to be a kid.”
Joanna Gluzman, Director of Responsible Business, B&Q said: “At B&Q, we believe everyone deserves a safe and secure place to call home, especially during the festive period. Sadly, this isn’t the reality for the 172,420 children currently in temporary accommodation in England. That’s why our ongoing partnership with Shelter is so important and reflects our commitment to helping create better homes and better lives for everyone. This year, for every real Christmas tree purchased, we’ll donate £1 to Shelter, and between 1–7 December we’ll also match customer donations made in store through Pennies.”
