91Èȱ¬

Case Study 1:

Do you ever wake up sometimes and think, UGH! Life is rubbish and nothing seems to go my way!Ìý Well, after you've heard the astonishing story of Mark Johnson, you'll think you're the luckiest person in Oxfordshire.

Mark visited Oxford for the literary festival, and also to read from his book Wasted, at the Gatehouse, a drop in centre for the homeless.Ìý He hopes that his story will help those who are currently unable to help themselves. Mark is on the right side of a long and dark journey of childhood violence, drug addiction, homelessness and finally redemption.

It's an uncomfortable and challenging listen.

Simon, a local lad, is a recovering drug addict and currently homeless and he was at the Gatehouse to listen to Mark's story.Ìý Andrew Smith is the Project Director at the Gatehouse.

Case Study 2:

Growing up is never easy!Ìý Your body changes, your hormones go crazy, and even for the luckiest it can be a confusing time.

Most of us however have had a relatively stable family life, even if sometimes we'veÌý been embarrassed by or upset with them.Ìý At the very least you've probably had a place you could call home - a sanctuary to all the perceived injustice life has thrown at you.

If only it was like that for everyone.Ìý I've been to a drop in centre near the shopping centre in Banbury.Ìý BHYP is a charity that provides respite to kids who live rough.Ìý Kids can drop in and wash their clothes, get a bite to eat, receive advice and feel safe, before they have to continue their life on the streets and all the dangers that entails.

Click on the link below and find out about life on the streets of Oxfordshire, by the kids who live on it.

Find out more about BYHP, by clicking on the link on the top right of this page.Ìý They also have a photography project funded by the Princes Trust.Ìý The project involves young homeless people taking photographs to raise awareness of the issues surrounding homelessness. The photographs will be incorporated in a calendar which will be sold to raise money for BYHP.Ìý

Click below to see a sample of these pictures.