What happens when the ability to have a stable home, a sense of place is interrupted by circumstances, when life’s journeys are somewhat complex and imperfect, when we don’t always lead the life we thought – or hoped – we would.
Michael said that he only wanted something a bit better and to simply lead a happy, fulfilling life. Not one of material value, but one where the inside, the connections, and the ability to be part of others’ lives was possible. A place it seemed to me that would be quite ordinary – but it would be his Ordinary Eden.
At age 16, Lyndsey moved into her first homeless accommodation. By 38, she’d lived in over 25 different places. She took me on her “tour of homelessness” as she called it, visiting the many hostels she’d stayed in over the years. At the end, she stopped for this portrait before catching a bus “home” – to yet another hostel.
Bedroom, permanent home.
When Lyndsey moved into her permanent home, her daughter gave her a cuddly toy to hug for when she wasn’t there. For Lyndsey that was all the time.
All I want is a happy, peaceful, normal life
Bedroom, permanent home.
This house is a new start, but the indelible trace of trauma remains significant.
It’s tiring—this is your life, I’m safe now but it’s all limited, I don’t exist anymore.
C. became overwhelmed at university: “That’s when I first became homeless, when it all started”. He has permanent housing now but the emotional ramifications of being on the street and in hostels continue in his present life. He hopes to return to his studies in the future.
Marcus, age 31, in his first ever home at Christmas
By 15, Marcus was already homeless. Then it just continued: hostel to hostel, prison, mental health centres, emergency shelters.
16 years into this, Marcus got support and a ‘resettlement’ plan, which led to his first permanent home in adulthood.
I’ve been on a merry-go-round. I don’t think there’s any of the homeless hostels I haven’t been in and I’ve been barred from everywhere.
To see more work from the project go to Margaret Mitchell’s website at margaretmitchell.co.uk