Shift: “I really had quite long bit of my life struggling with just the way that the system is. It’s just really nice to see an alternative and people gaining strength in that as well. I think it’s really important, and I’m just so happy that It’s there happening.” In this interview Shift speaks to […]
We are community reporters from all over the UK who are experiencing, or have experienced, homelessness. Using our mobile phones, we document our first-hand insights and the experiences of others in our communities. Our mission To share our stories and insights as people with experience of homelessness, in order to challenge stereotypes, and create a […]
We are community reporters from all over the UK who are experiencing, or have experienced, homelessness. Using our mobile phones, we document our first-hand insights and the experiences of others in our communities. Our mission To share our stories and insights as people with experience of homelessness, in order to challenge stereotypes, and create a […]
The Story Behind the Story: I wrote that My thoughts on International Refugee Week was predominantly to create awareness. Great Britain is quite an inclusive country, as we know it. Without a doubt, this is one of the most popular reasons people from other parts of the world consider the UK to be their home. […]
“Humans and non-humans have the inherent capacity for wholeness, regeneration, healing and transformation.” (Avril Bellinger, Principles of the strengths approach) Firstly, what a name for an event!!! Straight away I was interested in the Centre for Homelessness Research and Practice’s annual conference on ‘Homelessness, Psychology and Policy’, and really looked forward to seeing how this […]
To note, the information and quotes in this report are taken from The I newspaper’s investigation on Oxevision NHS psychiatric wards are video monitoring children and adults 24 hours a day, sparking privacy fears (inews.co.uk), first posted on September 24, 2023. The report also summarises The national survivor user network’s open letter Open letter on […]
Music is a uniting force, regardless of what is going on for someone, it’s a means for people to be who they really are. Wherever you go in life, it’s a grounding force to come back to, not just the music it’s self but the community and subcultures of different genres. It’s a way to […]
Ace came into our lives last year after I became homeless. Ace hasn’t had a great start to life as his previous owner was in a domestic abuse relationship with their ex–partner. Ace used to protect his owner from the violence and ended up getting attacked himself. Ace took a while to get settled with […]
We reporters of Listen Up are Bringing stories we come from afar Fields, estates, blocks and gardens Guiding the Groundswell star (Chorus) Oh, stars of writing, stars from the night Royal William shining up our light Oval meeting, northern leading Getting homelessness policies right Brought along by bus, bike and train Mat we bring him […]
With so much anger and hate in the news, I thought that I’d share something lovely here today. The lady behind this story works tirelessly behind the scenes to bring a bit of cheer to her corner of the world, and so I thought that I would spread that cheer with you and explain why […]
Read the previous report in Andrea’s eviction series My update on the police is more positive today. I’m now on my second case number with them regarding my landlord not allowing access to the property to get my belongings. I had to report online to the police that my landlord has failed to get in […]
In this written piece, Dan, who has just started as a project worker at Groundswell, offers a response to a recent report done by our ace roving reporter Steve from Manchester. Steve’s gift as a communicator is to give deeply textured snapshots of life through his eyes and in the original account he wrestles with the […]
A few days ago, I was coming from the train station and happened to bump into a neighbor who was carrying empty cardboard boxes from the local Sainsburys. I didn’t ask him what they were for and we simply talked about what was on for dinner that night. Yesterday, I bumped into him again. I […]
“Now 6 weeks later our benefit is still not sorted and we have already received a letter that we could get evicted for being behind with the rent.” – Listen Up! homelessness insights hub
We were in temporary accommodation provided by the council through a private agency. It was clean and nice and everything was there, fridge freezer, cooker with oven, carpets and wools decorated. I had plenty of food stored in the freezer and fridge due to the Covid-19. I only went to shops once a week but […]