A day in the life of an almost rough sleeper
Written by a 38 year old unemployed female from Brighton
Diary Entry: 27th July 2010
A day in the life of an almost rough sleeper Almost rough sleeper! Luckily I have never actually slept rough. I was very fortunate to have been given opportunities to sort myself out before that happened - although I did get very close to that situation. It was the heart of winter and I found myself desperate and feeling alone. I arrived at first Base to post and met one of the workers. I knew at that very moment I had to ask for help. So I did that, asked for help.
Luckily I have an amazing key worker who gives me huge support and understanding. I was plugged into various different places including BHTand after a few months I was given the keys to a lovely 1 bedroom flat. I now have my own space to explore things I love doing and have recently started being very creative. Doing art and starting new projects. I also have other projects I need to finish like sorting through notes I have written in the past and write articles or pen a book or both! My day varies a lot and I love to be in nature and spend a lot of time meditating and enjoying fresh air.
Today I looked after a friends child we had fun in the Pavilion garden running around. He noticed the scent of a flower which was beautiful. I then had 10 minutes of watching him run around the fountain where the water fluctuated. He made a new friend there for that moment and they ran together. The water stopped which was a bit of a relief as we needed to leave and I was starting to stress watching him run and not being his parent – the carer – why was I worried? After that it was home to mine to put icing on some rather delicious chocolate orange muffins I had made for his mum for her birthday. I also have been supported by my GP as I have suffered from depression and through him now have a gym card. My depression is mostly down to my own procrastination and lack of motivation and old thoughts and issues. But that is a whole other story! Positive steps.
I am now in the hospital garden where I was attending a depression group which I started last week. Already I feel better. It feels good just writing my thoughts and letting it flow – just do it! I love to write…writing a diary is going to be on my life list...but I also seem to want to run away… I have to plant myself solidly…take roots…enjoy…be…just…be…no but…just be. So I go off with the spiritual a lot, which feels nice. I am able to and have been blessed with these gifts. Then suddenly I go back to earth. As I left the garden I walked along clicking away with the camera at the things that I see...a mural...a view across Brighton to the Downs…a beautiful car…I love sports cars…as this is a historical account a van and a bus to show how we are today on the 29th July 2010.
I am loving this writing, I have such a passion for it. Now I am on the bus heading to first Base to hand this in. not sure if I can use his name…the man doing this observation day…I and he are so excited. I told him how I am loving it, such a passion…so I am grateful to First Base for so many things. The staff are all helpful, friendly and chatty. The person who set up this observation is a very passionate and a happy man. Its great to do this project. Thanks very much. The people who go to First Base get well fed thanks to the cook and kitchen helper. I was told I could wait until tomorrow to finish. In my mind I am concerned that I will want to make this perfect and go home and make it all beautiful. Re-write etc, tweak it. I have gone with the flow and that feels great. But what I really want to do is creative writing. I observe. I see beauty in many things, people, places, nature. I am a lucky lady. I love to be in the moment. The passion of the heart feels amazing. Thank you…thank you…thank you… I had a lesson in being grateful and being at peace. This has shown me today how I love to communicate and to be seen in my passion and energy. I have a lovely smile and twinkly eyes. I love hugs and my friends and my family, clothes and nice stuff in my home, plants, the sky, the moon. I love beautiful sky lines – sunsets and sunrises. Doing yoga and exercise. Eating good food. I ate a homemade bread roll filled with tuna mayo – how lucky am I – I love cooking. How lucky am I – so many talents Through out my experience of being an almost rough sleeper. Through the homelessness and worries I look back over that time and am so pleased to have asked for help. I have a special friend who gave me shelter and fed me. He did not know all my story. But he gave me strength and understanding through his gift of intuition and love. I love him very much for that so thank you my special friend.
