This week, tired of sitting behind the computer, I got out and about in Kingston. I was with a new volunteer who will be taking some beautiful pictures of Kingston for me, we were looking for inspiration but more than that we were looking for bands or musicians to play at our music event.
As we walked around town trying to pick out people with piercings, tattoos, great hair, eye-liner and leather, I realised I was lazily looking for a stereotype and, to be fair, by looking for that stereotype, we did find a few band members, but we also completely missed the mark a couple of times.
Which is when I recognised another stereotype, while we noted the regular people begging along the high street, presenting the epitome of a “homeless” person, I spotted faces I know from the office, including a couple from the Access Project; one gentleman was at work, another simply enjoying the sunshine by the river, neither looking like the stereotype we might expect.
Experiencing homelessness is not bound by conforming to a lazy stereotype, the pathway to it could be a couple of poor decisions, a relationship that doesn’t work any more, a mistake or simply circumstances beyond anyones control that break the precarious financial balance of living today.
Additionally, the experience doesn’t have to end stereotypically, the work we do is to arrest the traumatic process before anyone gets there. Through our expert advice, network of supporters, agencies and other charities, our night shelter and our supported accommodation, as well as the safe, contemplative, supportive space to consider a person’s substance use, the rounded, holistic support we offer is a true lifeline for anyone on or close to the edge.
I’m proud to be part of an organisation that breaks through stereotypes to find the person where they are and walk with them.
