I get called all names under the sun. Dirty old men approach you and ask you for sex for a few pounds just because you are standing out on the street
Sit ting on the pavement in the centre of Glasgow, Michelle knits blankets and scarves.
The 29- year- old spends most days out outside TK Maxx in Sauchiehall Street, begging for money in the hope of getting enough to feed herself and a find a room for the night.
But she usually ends up sleeping on the street. It’s a world away from the life she dreamt of as a child.
She said: “I didn’t grow up wanting to be a beggar. I wanted to be a vet.
“When I was about 16, I got into drink and drugs and that was it.
“Things went downhill from there and I began to have problems with my mental health. “I had a disagreement with my mum which led to me being kicked out the house when I was heavily pregnant.
“I was pregnant and sleeping under a motorway bridge at the back of the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow.
“Last night, I slept in a doorway in Sauchiehall Street. Tonight will be the same, I suppose. “I get called all the names under the sun. “Dirty old men approach you and ask you for sex for a few pounds just because you are standing on the street.” Michelle, from the city’s east end, struggles with her physical and mental health. She said: “I had jaundice at the start of the year and it attacked my liver. What will I do when the winter comes? I’ll try to get more sleeping bags.” Michelle has been in jail five times “for various things ”, including when she was pregnant with her youngest child. She said: “I have three children, a boy aged seven, a girl aged six and another wee boy aged two.
“They are all adopted now. They’re with two different families. It’s a terrible feeling and it makes my depression worse.
“I was in Cornton Vale prison until last August so that’s me out a year now and I hope it stays that way.
“I learned how to knit in jail. Now people see me sitting here knitting and come up and give me balls of wool and ask me to knit a scarf for their wee boy or girl.
“I knitted this blanket. It took me a month but it’s finished now. I like
I got into drink and drugs at 16 and things went downhill from there
knitting – it gives me something to do while I’m sitting here.”
Michelle is angered by the way homeless people are treated and hit out at Glasgow Chamber of Commerce chief Stuart Patrick’s comments about beggars driving away shoppers. Michelle said: “I think what he says about there being too many beggars is a joke but it doesn’t surprise me.
“They would rather just keep us out of sight. Anyone who criticises the homeless should come and be with us for a few hours and listen to the abuse we get.” Michel le has struggled to get the support she feels shshe needs since leaving prison. She said: “I’ve not seen my dad for years. I spokes to my mum for about two seconds last month – that was it. “I went to the Hamish Allan homeless centre but it didn’t work out. “I’ve also been in contact with the 218 Project (run by charity Turning Point to provide an alternative to custody for women referred by the courts). “I dream about going to college and becoming a photographer. “I know there is no quick fix for the problem of begging and homelessness. “I need a house and benefits if there is any chance I can get my life together. “You need an address to sign on to – and you can’t get a job if you are homeless as you are seen as unreliable. “I just feel as if I am stuck here.”