Women’s Stories

Photofilm: Be Myself

Photofilm: Be Myself

‘Be Myself’ is the story of one of the homeless women I met whilst working on this project. It sheds light on issues that so often go ignored. It’s not an easy film to watch but it offers hope.

The film does contain material that some people may find distressing.

To watch the photofilm please click on the photograph to the left.


Maria, 25 (incl audio)

Maria, 25 (incl audio)

“When I was 13, we moved because of my Dad’s job. I just rebelled. I started smoking. I started getting into drugs, smoking cannabis. I started having sex at 15, quite an early age. I look back now and think that was too young. (…)

You may find the contents of this story upsetting.

To continue reading Maria’s story please click on her photograph.


Hazel, 53 (incl audio)

Hazel, 53 (incl audio)

“I’ve been re-housed and living in my own place for the last year and a half. The last time I was homeless was for four years. It was the hardest time. I’m lucky enough to have some old friends in London. Ask ‘Is it alright if I stay?’ and most people honestly would say yes. But you can’t stay. It’s not fair on them, their families or whatever. (…)

You may find the contents of this story upsetting.

To continue reading Hazel’s story please click on her photograph.


Jakki, 46 (incl audio)

Jakki, 46 (incl audio)

“I tell you, I could write a book, you wouldn’t believe my life story. My first job was at the Miami boat show, just cleaning and washing the Donzi boats. I ended up getting lessons on sailing and racing, taking the boats out. We won loads of races. We sailed from Fort Lauderdale down to Antigua, Tortola, San Juan. I travelled the seasons. (…)

You may find the contents of this story upsetting.

To continue reading Jakki’s story please click on her photograph.


Suzana, 37 (incl audio)

Suzana, 37 (incl audio)

“The first time I tried heroin was to kill myself. They had taken my kids like I am a useless person. So I bought three £10 bags and injected it. I so wanted to die, and in a way I did – because the next day I was just a heroin addict. Maybe not the next day, but that’s what it was heading for. (…)

You may find the contents of this story upsetting.

To continue reading Suzanna’s story please click on her photograph.


Georgina, 20

Georgina, 20

“I was a really quiet person when I was young, really withdrawn. Now you can’t shut me up. I’ve actually become a little bit madder, but also a lot more confident since being on the street. You have to. (…)

You may find the contents of this story upsetting.

To continue reading Georgina’s story please click on her photograph.


Amanda, 44

Amanda, 44

“I’m homeless and living on the streets. Why? I was married for 17 years and my partner used to beat me up. I had children so I had to wait until they’d grew up before I could actually leave. When my youngest sorted her life out, I ran away. I got into a refuge because the council thought my children were with me. He ended up finding me and smashed the place up, so I got kicked out. (…)

You may find the contents of this story upsetting.

To continue reading Amanda’s story please click on her photograph.


Kerry, 26

Kerry, 26

“I’ve got my own place now. I’ve been living here for five weeks. I was quite nervous, because I don’t want to mess it up, and I’d never lived on my own before. I quite like it now. I wouldn’t want to go back on the streets. (…)

You may find the contents of this story upsetting.

To continue reading Kerry’s story please click on her photograph.


Michelle, 27

Michelle, 27

“I’m a parent now. Well, I’ve been a parent for a while, but I’m actually a mother that’s able to look after my children now. My twins run me ragged on a daily basis. I live in a flat which is my own – it’s rented from the council. I am waiting to start college, hopefully to do a music course. (…)

You may find the contents of this story upsetting.

To continue reading Michelle’s story please click on her photograph.


Keeley, 29

Keeley, 29

“Social Services kept chucking me from pillar to post. I was in 29 placements in less than two months. Children’s homes, foster carers, children’s homes, foster placements. I was about 12. I just had enough. I’ve been let down a great deal by a lot of people saying they’ll be there and they haven’t. (…)

You may find the contents of this story upsetting.

To continue reading Keeley’s story please click on her photograph.


Lorraine, 21

Lorraine, 21

“I have been homeless for four-and-a-half years. My mum moved abroad and left me with £200. It was a happy childhood, don’t get me wrong. Apart from when I was four, I stopped talking for two years because I lost one of my triplet brothers. I got talking again, and then I lost my other brother. I love my dad, but he became a heroin addict when I was 13, and now I can’t be around that. (…)

You may find the contents of this story upsetting.

To continue reading Lorraine’s story please click on her photograph.


Gemskii, 40

Gemskii, 40

“I just stumbled around really, never being able to home myself. I had various rented accommodations but they were appalling – boarded up windows, derelict. Girlfriends housed me mostly. I was quite often in abusive relationships but unable to leave because I had nowhere to go. (…)

You may find the contents of this story upsetting.

To continue reading Gemskii’s story please click on her photograph.


Sharnia, 27

Sharnia, 27

“Before all this, I was a mother. I gave my daughter to my mum. Then I was on the road, I was homeless. I see my daughter if I want. But I don’t want her to see me this way. (…)

You may find the contents of this story upsetting.

To continue reading Sharnia’s story please click on her photograph.