Interactive, 3D sculpture in Salisbury's Old George Mall today
We can recognise the importance of home with Alabaré's padlocks project
A special sculpture is in Salisbury's Old George Mall today (Friday 22nd September) and gives us a chance to recognise the importance of home.
The sculpture has been created by Salisbury-based charity Alabaré, has been inspired by the Parisian tradition of using a padlock to lock words of love onto the Pont Des Arts bridge.
This 3D art work, which is made up of giant letters spelling the word home, allows us to attach a special padlock with a fob to it.
On the fob, we can write the reasons why we are grateful for having a place to call home.
Alabaré's fundraising and events manager Rebecca Mullen told us: "Sadly for 10s of thousands of people in this country and in this area, (having a home) is not their reality for a whole variety of reasons.
"Often it's a combination of things coming together and they don't have the support network around them that enables them to get through this."
The charity has been supporting homeless people as young as 16.
Rebecca told us about one case of a teenage boy, whose parents had been fighting.
After getting into a fight himself, the teen woke up in hospital and found out he was homeless.
The council introduced him to Alabaré and with their support, he has since reengaged with college and gone onto gain a university degree.
Rebecca said there are recurring themes with young people ending up on the streets.
"There is some domestic violence or there is real pressure within the home. There may well be a step parent in the situation and one of the parents has basically said, actually I've got a new life and I don't see it having my teenage son or daughter in it."
We can support the charity's efforts in helping young people and army veterans get back on their feet by donating £3.50 to get a padlock to lock onto the HOME sculpture.