It [this project] has given me the ability to use my voice after being silenced. I was told I couldn’t write to my children and then I was told what to write. That had a big effect on me. The letters they got me to write were so sanitised and boring, ultimately, they [the social services] tried to take my soul.

My mental health was used as a reason not to be listened to or believed. I have an ability to talk about myself at the core of who I am but if you go through homelessness and poverty or other crisis situations you lose who you are, you lose your identity.

You’re in a crisis and if you need some help dealing with the DWP and homeless charities it is very dehumanising to the point that if someone asked you what you like to eat or what music you like or what you like to do for fun at the weekend you would struggle to tell them.

This work here of telling stories and communicating in an expressive way is really huge because the system takes away your ability to be yourself. This project helps you find yourself and to recover from homelessness.

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Join us: We see the the hub as the start of a movement of people, all united in the belief that elevating our voices will challenge stereotypes and help decision makers end homeless health inequalities. Join us by signing up to our mailing list – the Listen Up! mail out.