June 2025

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

Here is a recommended backing track to listen to while reading these words

And now, the end is near…

For Listen Up, the final curtain

We’ve made good friends; we’ll say it clear

We took some time, of that we’re certain

We’ve lived a life that’s full

We travelled up and down the highway

And more, much more than this

WE DID IT OUR… WAY

Regrets, we’ve had a few

But then again, too few to mention

We got inspired with what to do

And saw it through, with love and tensions

We planned each chartered month

With careful words along the byway

And more, much more than this

WE DID IT OUR… WAY

Yes, there were times, Groundswell knew

We bit off more, than we could chew

But through it all, when we had doubt

We wrote it up and published out

We faced it all, and we stood tall

WE DID IT OUR…WAY

We loved, we laughed, we cried

We had our fill, our share of choosing

And now, as fears subside

We find it all, oh so amusing

To think we did all that

And may we say, in not a shy way

Oh no, oh no, not us

WE DID IT OUR… WAY

For what is a project, what have we got

If not ourselves, we never forgot

To say the things we truly feel

And all the words, of those who shield

The record shows, we never froze

AND DID IT OUR… WAY

Yes, it was our way…

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 [email protected] 

People experiencing homelessness are almost always inaccurately depicted throughout all media platforms. Stereotypes of homelessness are perpetuated in the media more than anything. News outlets, for one, too often take the humanity out of the information they provide. This project enables me to feel listened to and be part of the drive for positive change. I’ve gained new skills and met new people. It gives me sense of being connected and improves my confidence.

Temporary accommodation (TA) vis-a-vis homelessness was for me a welcome respite from the oh so thorny tribulations of the wilderness that is street life.   

Many have documented the dire consequences and ill effects of TA  that are continually experienced by a significant tranche of humanity, all over the world. Shall we talk about the multiple refugee camps“temporarily” put up in many parts of our world? Perhaps not today.  

Regurgitating about my situation here would be but a mousey squeak to the roars from significant leaders in the homelessness universe.  At the risk of appearing facetious by highlighting my worldview, Dalai Lama XIV Tenzin Gyatso, to me the Original Homeless Guy, has been my internal subconscious mentor, offering me support during my time of displacement onto streets from my stable home. 

Personally my experience of TA, was of a world difficult to access, It’s wildness pummeled me, not so much mentally, as spiritually, punishing me, depressing the natural bonvivantness of my life, my joie de vivre generally. 

 I changed physically, losing body mass and muscle tone,. Some health issues raised their ugliness to me, but thankfully I received encouraging reassurances from medical professionals. My perceived stoicism and perhaps my genetic heritage kicked in to protect me.

 My gratitude goes to the Overlords of the Cosmos for keeping me relatively healthy,  healthier perhaps than other fellow humans on the streets, of whom I saw many – unfortunately still do, more than a decade later. I do wish to speak more about deeper inherent issues of Temporary Accommodation. Perhaps I shall get another pass at it. Much like a space probe getting a gravity assist around a planet on its journey to far off destinations in deep space. 

The signpost sits where the fence parts me from the river that once would of quenched my thirst.

“HERE LOUNGERS LOITER!”

“PRIVATE PROPERTY”

As I look through the fence to where I apparently am not allowed to go, a beautiful oak tree sits.

As the oak peers down upon me from the ‘other side’ with its narrowing eye, I sense a feeling of righteousness filter through my bloodline.

The oak is so big that it reaches far and wide in all directions. As I looked up in amazement of this fantastic specimen, a crow flew over to perch on the long reaching branch that was hovering over, past the imaginary line of permission, in a hesitant uncertain manner.

“Trespassers keep out! Caw kraa.”

The confident bird was very noisy, making loud crying noises and kept saying the same thing over and over, “trespassers keep out, caw kraa,” while hopping over to one branch and then to the next branch.

“Hey, are you talking to me?” I said to the crow.

“You’re not allowed here, you’re not allowed there! Caw kraa,” the crow said, while jumping onto the branches on the other side.

Then the crow jumped far past the imaginary line onto the branch surpassing the fence near to the side of the public right of way. “Apparently, you’re allowed here though, for now, ha ha! Until they change their minds of course! But for now,” the crow laughed.

“Are you making fun Mr. Crow?” I asked.

“Private property is an institution invented by man I believe, nothing to do with us murders, charming name to call us by the way!” the crow replied.

“Yeah, I agree, I don’t quite understand myself why you would use a word that has that kind of connotation for such an intelligent bird like yourself,” I spoke with a frustrated annoyed voice.

“Ha! Well I’m okay, as I got wings so I can get about everywhere regardless to your silly rules!” the crow answered and took flight.

“Hey wait!” I shouted as I see the crow leave.

I stood there in silence looking at the tree and the signpost.

I started to walk through the undergrowth looking around trying to find a parting in the fence so that I could get through to reach the riverbank.

“SSSShhhhhhh come this way, I know of a gap.” As I looked down to see a rare sight.

“Who are you?” I asked.

“I’ve been around for donkeys’ me, I believe you lot call me a pine marten and even a pest, I hear some say. My ancestry goes back way before you lot, thinking you own the place! When the area was full of woodland with plenty to eat. Now all there seems to be is grass. Who eats grass? And where we all supposed to live? Ain’t got no place no more, what about the rest of us, you lot seem to think it all about you. Not very smart you lot are ya!” The pine marten ranted.

“Yeah I know… uh,” I replied before the pine marten butted in again.

“Anyway, I’m pleased to help! As I can see, you look like you’ve been excluded in your highnesses pleasure. Look over there, can you see there a gap in the fence by the Elder tree?”  The pine marten pointed.

“Oh yeah I see thanks” I replied.

“Okay great, was afraid for a minute you were one of the blind ones, anyway must go! This coat catches a fair old price I have you know!” The pine marten said with a cheeky smile while exaggerating his swagger.

“Okay thanks again sweetie” I replied quickly as the pine marten jumped into a prepared hole in the ground and was off.

As I reached the gap I looked around and a deep peace came over me as though I was respected by the ground that held me, and I had been granted safe passage.

The privatization of land displaces communities, threatens wildlife, and exacerbates social inequalities by concentrating wealth and resources in the hands of a few. Addressing these issues of land privatisation is crucial for discussions around social justice, housing and homelessness and ecological sustainability.