Real-life homelessness stories in the spotlight
Walking seven miles for a shower and being wrongly accused of killing a child... Katie Gupwell spoke to a group of people sharing the brutal reality of sleeping rough in a show at the Wales Millennium Centre
YOU could be forgiven for assuming actors treading the boards at one of Wales’ bestknown theatres might be used to a life of dressing rooms, rehearsals, and glamour.
But for a group set to tell their stories at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay tonight, their path to the stage has been rather more challenging.
They have dealt with issues including the loss of a child, alcohol and drug abuse, and time in prison.
Now, though, the group – who have all experienced homelessness – have written and rehearsed a brand new theatre production.
It’s called Behind the Label and it’s all about people sharing their own experiences – from stories about addiction to homelessness and mental health.
It’s a chance for them to break the stereotypes of homelessness and make people realise that everyone has a different story.
The production asks its audience to look behind negative labels such as “junkie” or “criminal” and listen to the people behind them.
Behind the Label is being delivered by charity Theatre vs Oppression (TvO) in partnership with homeless charity The Wallich and the Wales Millennium Centre.
All of the people involved are clients of The Wallich – and one of them is Tony Watts.
Tony, 34, spent more than 10 years living on the streets before finding shared accommodation in Cardiff.
Before that he was a drug addict and spent years being in and out of prison.
“It was drugs,” he said. “I was on heroin and crack. My grandparents brought me up but I started drugs at the age of 15. I got in with the wrong crowd. I was homeless.”
It was drugs that encouraged Tony to take a troubled path. He said the police kept catching him with drugs and he spent some time in prison.
He said: “I had to go to prison about five times and I thought ‘no that’s enough for me’.”
Speaking about life on the streets, Tony added: “It was a horrible way to live really. I had nowhere to go, no money, no job. I had enough of drugs and decided I didn’t want to live like it. I wanted to get off it. I felt relaxed when I was off it.”
Tony has been clean for around three or four years and has since been working with The Wallich to get back on his feet.
It was The Wallich which helped him get involved with the production and he has since taken an interest in theatre production.
He intends to spend some time as a volunteer at Wales Millennium Centre in the future.
But, for now, he’s just looking forward to being able to tell his story.
“It’s quite amazing to be able to tell people,” he said.
“It’s difficult to open up but it’s good that it shows what life is really like. It shows what people are going through. I’ve loved it. I’m a happy person when I’m off drugs. I was definitely less happy when I was on them. It numbs your feelings.”
Jules Avery, 50, will share a different story on the stage. Even though she’s never found herself directly living on the streets, she was in and out of hostels for the best part of three and a half years before finding shared accommodation in Cardiff.
Before that she was living in a flat in Newport but her world was suddenly turned upside down.
Jules’ daughter died when she was just 15 months old. Before she was born, Jules was told she was unlikely to survive the birth due to complications. But, when she died, Jules said she endured further heartbreak.
“Someone started saying I had battered her to death,” she said.
“She had a brain haemorrhage caused by an epileptic fit. I was getting death threats so I just left.”
It was at this point that Jules found herself without a secure home.
Even though she found shelter at hostels she said the experience was still quite difficult – mostly because of what people would do around her.
She added: “I had been clean from drugs for 18 years and it was hard seeing people on drugs and drink. I just stayed in my room. It was quite lonely but I went to college once a week to study English and maths.”
Jules has been working with The Wallich for about three years, and she plans to go on to study psychology.
She said working alongside the team at Behind the Label has enabled her to build her self-esteem.
“It’s given me a lot more confidence,” said Jules. “It’s been hard at times – it’s been hard to open up.”
She added: “More people should talk to homeless people and hear their stories. Find out the reason why they’re there.”
In a heartbreaking turn of events Liam Wallis, 31, found himself on the streets after suffering with mental health issues.
As little as two years ago Liam was managing a pub in Cowbridge. He was able to live above the business as part of the work arrangement but just over two years ago he lost it all when he started to isolate himself from the people around him.
“I started to suffer from depression and anxiety,” Liam said. “I wasn’t engaging with people and I wouldn’t want to be around people.
“It came to a point where I didn’t want to speak to anyone. I started drinking and became an alcoholic.”
Liam added: “I was walking the streets for six to eight months. I was hiding behind lampposts just so people wouldn’t see me.”
But Liam has been in accommodation in Barry for the past two months. He said it took a while for him to be given the help he needed but he was eventually put in a hotel before being granted a place in the Vale of Glamorgan.
Liam said: “I can wake up and have a shower now. I used to walk seven miles to have a shower and then walk seven miles back. The house I’m in is not the best but I have a kitchen and I can cook and have a shower.”
He’s also feeling positive about being in the show which has enabled him to meet a lot of new people and share his experiences.
“It’s a bit nerve-wracking,” he added. “But we all have stories. Some people tell their stories and they are a lot worse than mine. It’s just good being around people. We have all gone through tough times and it’s nice to speak to people who understand.”
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