Wisdom from the Pandemic
Capturing the voices of people sleeping rough, living in hotels or hostels, or those who sought their own solution during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Read online or download Wisdom from the Pandemic in PDF
An Introduction to Wisdom from the Pandemic
In July 2020 Mayday was asked by Westminster City Council (WCC)…
7th September 2021/by Stephanie1 of 8 A hotel room in a time of crisis
"COVID has brought my life together and I’ve been handed help that I never got before…. I’m 68 years old and have been on the streets 5 years…"
7th September 2021/by Stephanie2 of 8 An uncertain future
"I’ve been here for two months when I was told I would only be here 28 days. I’ve had flat viewings, I was even accepted for somewhere, but nothing came of it."
7th September 2021/by Stephanie3 of 8 Stripped of control
"I’m being told that I have to go to a hostel, I really don’t want to go. I know I will relapse. Everyone there takes drugs. I’m trying to stay sober, but they’re trying to force me to go."
7th September 2021/by Stephanie4 of 8 An impossible situation
"Living in a hostel is no life. It doesn’t help with my depression. The atmosphere feels like a graveyard in there."
7th September 2021/by Stephanie5 of 8 Family
"He was my only family, my friend. They wouldn’t let me take him with me. I was scared. I had to give him up. Now I’m alone."
7th September 2021/by Stephanie6 of 8 Employment or a home
"I was told I couldn’t work while I was living in the hostel, if I did my benefits would stop. I just want to get a job and be normal again."
7th September 2021/by Stephanie7 of 8 Home
"I was given temporary accommodation, but I feel isolated. I was getting depressed. I’m not used to four walls, it was uncomfortable. I come out here, it’s my home."
7th September 2021/by Stephanie8 of 8 Communication
"The word ‘lockdown’ terrified me. I was trapped for so long in an abusive relationship before, it was too much."
7th September 2021/by StephanieTo conclude
The experiences people shared with Mayday were both positive…
7th September 2021/by Stephanie
