'Being homeless doesn't stop you doing anything'

In June 2022, Amanda Wall and her two children faced a life-changing event when they were evicted from their home. Initially, the council informed them that they would only need to stay in temporary accommodation for one week. However, what followed was a challenging ordeal as they were moved between 11 different hotels over the course of seven weeks. This constant upheaval took a toll on Amanda's children, who experienced emotional distress, and Amanda herself felt a significant loss of dignity as they dealt with the negative perceptions of others. She expressed, 'There are so many reasons that you could be made homeless, but automatically, people will think the worst of you. ' Amanda believes that the stigma surrounding homelessness is one of the most significant challenges faced by individuals in similar situations. Despite the hardships, she emphasized that being homeless does not prevent someone from pursuing their passions or dreams. Following this difficult period, the council acknowledged their shortcomings and apologized for the distress caused, assuring Amanda that such a situation would not happen again. Now, at 52 years old, Amanda has transformed her frustrating and demoralizing experience into a source of inspiration for others facing homelessness. While living in the hotels, Amanda and her children encountered numerous challenges, including disruptive noise from other guests and the added burden of being housed far from the children's school. This situation not only increased their daily expenses but also made their commutes to school lengthy and exhausting. Amanda noted, 'There was nothing personal about how [Bristol City Council] were dealing with things because of the pressure they’re under. I understand, but that had a massive effect on the kids. ' A spokesperson for Bristol City Council explained that the city is currently grappling with a housing crisis, where the demand for housing is rising, pushing many families towards homelessness. They acknowledged that this situation has placed immense pressure on the availability of temporary accommodation, which is becoming increasingly costly to provide. The spokesperson stated, 'These pressures mean the council has often had to rely on hotel and spot purchased accommodation to support households in need. These approaches can sometimes lead to unstable placements and high costs – two outcomes that do not benefit households nor the authority. ' Before her eviction, Amanda lived in what she described as 'terrible' conditions, with issues such as rats, mold, and a carbon monoxide leak. These horrific living conditions not only affected their physical health but also left a lasting impact on their mental well-being. Amanda reflected on her past, saying, 'I look back and think how did we get through that? ' Before the pandemic, she was a singer and performer, teaching music classes to children. However, when the pandemic hit, her career came to a halt, leaving her in a difficult financial situation. During the time spent moving between hotels, Amanda turned to her passion for music and wrote a song as a way to cope with the stress. She described the process as 'almost therapy,' and at that time, she had no intention of sharing her creation with anyone outside her immediate surroundings. In addition to her musical endeavors, Amanda also returned to education to maintain her mental health and enrolled in a master's degree program at dBs Institute, a higher education provider focused on music production and game design. She expressed gratitude for the support she received from dBs, stating, 'I will be forever grateful for that. ' As she began her studies, Amanda was inspired by a tutor who taught her about artists who have used their personal struggles to create meaningful change. This inspiration led her to develop a project called FEAR, which stands for For Families Emergency Accommodation Rehabilitation. The goal of this project is to raise awareness about homelessness and to evoke feelings of empathy and understanding in others. The multimedia project incorporates soundscapes, music, and projections that reflect the experiences of Amanda and others who have faced homelessness. Amanda shared, 'It's grown from a little chord structure made up in a hotel room to a huge project. ' She emphasized the importance of community in this endeavor, stating, 'We built a community with the people that we were homeless with in order for us all to get through the situations we were in. ' FEAR is about unity, support, and giving a voice to those who have experienced homelessness. Amanda acknowledged that the project can be quite emotional, saying, 'I’ve cried my heart out on a couple of occasions. ' She often listens to parts of the project and reflects on her past experiences and the struggles of those currently facing homelessness. Over the past two years, Amanda has worked hard to rebuild her life and now resides in Southmead. She completed her degree this summer and celebrated this achievement with an exhibition of her FEAR project at the university. Now, Amanda is focused on sharing her project with a broader audience to raise awareness and advocate for change. She stated, 'I want to keep the conversation going and I want to make a difference. I want people to walk away thinking 'was that real? '. I want shock factor. I want people to feel that weight. ' Amanda plans to take her project around Bristol and donate ticket proceeds to the homeless charity, Shelter, which provided her with support during her difficult times. She has also been involved in Shelter's 'This Is Not A Home' campaign, which aimed to urge the previous government to unfreeze housing benefits and build safer, more secure social housing. In February 2023, Amanda and representatives from the charity visited Downing Street to present their campaign, which garnered over 9,000 signatures. Amanda expressed her frustration with the current system, stating, 'The whole system is completely screwed. It goes right across the nation and it’s ruthless. ' A spokesperson from Bristol City Council reiterated their commitment to tackling homelessness, stating, 'This is a major challenge and will require a number of different solutions. We remain committed to trying to deliver the solutions that are within the scope of the council to deliver, including a reduction in the use of temporary accommodation.