This report reflects on what John has done for Listen Up! and what they have gained from this

 

 

Hello everyone, it’s John Chiko again. So, this is my final report for Listen Up! and it is with a heavy heart that I am writing this.

You see it has been a year since I joined the Listen Up! project and to be quite frank, it has changed me somewhat.

Listen Up! has been more than a project for me; it has been an awakening of sorts. A part of me that had been deactivated because of the depression that had been brought forth by my trials and tribulations, before and during my time being homeless. The Listen Up! project has revitalised something inside me in which had been lost.

I believe that it has something to do with meeting my fellow Listen Up! journalists who had faced homelessness just as I have, not to mention the Groundswell staff who are awesome and understanding people who did not judge me for going through homelessness, but instead embraced me for facing it, showing me love and kindness that I wished I had received when I was homeless.

Also including the travels to London and Manchester that had me visiting locations I had never been to. This allowed me to see how diverse England is, and how different the south is to the north. If anything, Groundswell and the Listen Up! project made me appreciate that I had been homeless, as it gave me the opportunity to become a community journalist.

But anyway, let me tell you somethings that I appreciate about the Listen Up! project and Groundswell.

The role of the Listen Up! project

The Listen Up! project has been a beacon for me and for the other volunteer journalists who experienced homelessness. It gave us a platform to share our stories and influence change. It’s core mission to amplify the voices of people with lived experience is not just powerful, but necessary. Homelessness is often spoken about by those who observe it from the outside but Listen Up! put the mic (or word in this case) in the hands of those who have lived it. This approach shifts the narrative and allows for more authentic, impactful conversations about the realities if homelessness. For me, it created a safe space where I felt not only heard but understood. We weren’t just telling stories, we were helping shape the way homelessness is approached, both in local communities and in policy discussions.

Through the project, I have come to see how critical it is to bring real voices into the conversation. Without platforms like Listen Up!, the solutions we see to homelessness would remain disconnected from the realities of those who are actually living through it.

The project has allowed people like me to speak candidly about our struggles, and in turn, we’ve contributed to shaping services that better reflect the needs of the homeless community. The role of this project cannot be understated. It is about empowerment, representation, and ensuring that no one feels invisible in a system that so often overlooks the most vulnerable.

My role as a community journalist

As a community journalist for Listen Up!, my role was to write stories about homelessness in the city of Coventry, my home for the past 20 years. It was about engaging with the people and the environment of Coventry, to paint a picture of the machinations of homelessness and how it was affecting the people experiencing it. It was about engaging with real people and bringing their voices to the forefront. This position gave me a sense of purpose, allowing me to transform my own struggles into a way to give back to the community.

Homelessness isn’t just about a lack of housing. It’s about the emotional, psychological, and societal impacts that ripple through someone’s life. As a community journalist, I became a conduit for story of homelessness in Coventry. It’s been a humbling experience to hold space for Coventry and to witness firsthand the resilience of the human spirit.

Impact of the Listen Up! project

The Listen Up! project has had a profound impact, not only on me but on the broader community in England. One of the most important aspects of this project is that it brought attention to the real issues that people experiencing homelessness face daily. Whether it’s the bureaucratic hurdles that keep people stuck in the cycle of homelessness, or the stigma that dehumanises them, Listen Up! has shined a light on these issues. Through our reports and stories, we’ve managed to spark conversations that may not have happened otherwise, influencing service providers and policymakers to rethink their approach to homelessness.

Furthermore, Listen Up! has had a profound impact on the journalists that have written about their experiences of homelessness, including the thoughts and ideas that have been created through them. It has given us a family of people who have felt the same pain and the same neglect that has affected us greatly, but has given us a cause that sparked by Groundswell and Listen Up! that has developed into a flame which will guide those that have experienced homelessness.

The power of lived experience

One of the core principles of Groundswell, and something I hold dear after my time with Listen Up!, is the power of lived experience. There is an undeniable strength in sharing personal stories, especially when those stories are rooted in hardship and survival. My own experience with homelessness allowed me to connect with others on a deeper level. We shared more than just words, we shared understanding. This connection is something you cannot replicate unless you have walked the same path. Lived experience brings an authenticity that can’t be substituted, and it’s crucial in creating meaningful change in how homelessness is addressed.

My personal growth and reflections

Looking back over the past year, I can see just how much I have grown, both personally and professionally. Before joining Listen Up!, I often felt silenced by the weight of my experiences with homelessness. I didn’t feel like my voice mattered, and I certainly didn’t think anyone wanted to hear my story. Being part of Listen Up! has changed that. It’s given me the confidence to speak out, to tell my story with pride, and to see it as a tool for change. I have gained skills in journalism and more. I have gained a deeper sense of self-worth.

What has Groundswell and Listen Up! done for me?

Groundswell and Listen Up! has helped me rebuild parts of myself and improve other parts that I had neglected. When I was homeless, I felt like my identity had been stripped away, and I felt a great anger toward the people I felt had betrayed me and the world for not caring. However, through my work with Listen Up! I have been able to create a new voice, and which has helped me reclaim my self-worth. The organisation welcomed me with open arms, never judging me for my past, but rather celebrating my resilience and my ability to contribute to the conversation around homelessness. Listen Up! reminded me that my experiences are valuable, and that I have something important to say.

Thank you again Groundswell and its awesome team for developing Listen Up! It has in way changed me. I am sure that it has changed the other journalists as well. I will miss everyone who has been a part of this journey. I am sure that this project has helped and saved people from homelessness, today and tomorrow.

Thank you very much.

 

The three-year Listen Up! project will be completed in September 2024. We are proud of what we have achieved and look forward to seeing what comes next at Groundswell and On Our Radar and for the community reporters. 

You can see other reports reflecting on what we have achieved and gained in this project under the tag Listen Up

The Listen Up! Hub and our insights and resources will be archived online for all to use. 

If you have any questions for Listen Up! or any community reporters, or you’re interested in joining our end of project celebrations, please get in touch at listenup@groundswell.org.uk