Your story can help us campaign for change
If you are homeless or struggling with housing issues, we would like to hear from you.
Your personal experiences could help us to campaign for real change and prevent other people from having to face similar problems.
Why should I share my story?
We rely on people’s personal experiences of homelessness and housing problems to bring these issues to life. They help us to:
campaign for real change so that, in the future, other people won’t have to face the same problems you are struggling with. Your stories will often be the evidence we need to make our campaigns a success
raise awareness in the media of the housing emergency and the devastating impact that it is having on people’s lives
reach more people struggling with bad housing or homelessness. Hearing from you could reassure people in similar situations that they’re not alone and that there is help available
identify problems or barriers within the housing system that would otherwise go unnoticed
inspire people to donate, volunteer, or take part in a Shelter event and raise the funds we need to be able to continue with our vital work
Helping Shelter through sharing my story was the silver lining of being made homeless. It gave me so many opportunities to help others, and to assist in raising funds for Shelter so that everyone there could keep doing the amazing jobs they do.
- Kimberley
Who should share their story?
We would like to hear from you if:
you are currently struggling with homelessness or housing issues
we helped you to solve your housing or homelessness issues and you are now settled. This could have been through support from our helpline, webchat, or face-to-face services
We are particularly looking to share stories of people who are:
renting privately and struggling with affordability, disrepair issues, or are facing eviction
homeless and living in temporary accommodation, such as bed and breakfasts
experiencing discrimination within the housing system
Our ‘Share your story’ form is for people who want to tell us their story. We are not able to provide housing or homelessness advice and support this way.
If you are in need of help and advice, please visit our advice pages
How will we share your story?
After you submit your story we will review it carefully.
Unfortunately, we can’t respond to everyone. But, if your story fits with one of our current campaigns, we will call you for an informal chat to find out more and work out the best way to share your story.
We often use people’s experiences in:
Media (including speaking to journalists, if that’s what you’d like to do)
Campaigns
Fundraising appeals
Social media
Blogs
The impact that stories like yours can have
Stephen’s story
When Stephen and his family were searching for a new home, they faced ‘no DSS’ discrimination at every turn. We helped them to find a suitable home. But, Stephen wanted to stop others from having to go through the same experience. By sharing his story and working with our Legal team, he took the estate agents to court and won a ‘landmark case’ that proved the way they had behaved was discriminatory and in breach of the Equality Act.
Although our fight for a home was over, I couldn’t stop thinking about the thousands of other families on benefits, missing out on decent homes because of discrimination. I knew I had to do more. It was about taking a stand – making sure they didn’t treat other families the way they treated us.
- Stephen
Shandor and Billy’s story
Shandor and his seven-year-old son, Billy, become homeless after he was left disabled by an accident at work and fell behind on his rent payments. Shandor shared his story with Shelter and appeared on the Channel 4 news and the Victoria Derbyshire show.
I sincerely believe that speaking up was the right decision. It gave me the self-confidence I needed to voice my opinions. Being homeless decimated this and other feelings I had. Being able to tell my story helped me pull my emotions back into focus.
- Shandor
Uche's story
Black and Black Mixed heritage people report experiencing discrimination at every stage of their journey into a social rent home. We spoke to Uche about the struggles she faced trying to access a safe and secure home.
It [discrimination in housing] got me questioning what is it about me? Is it because I'm a woman? Is it because I'm black? Is it because I'm a single mum? I wish there was more of us exposing this injustice.
- Uche
Video transcript
Home is your stepping stone. To a better job. To a better quality of life. To a better mental state.
Why should people be discriminated against when that's all they want? It's just a basic necessity.
That's the way I see it; that racial discrimination is just somebody taking away your powers from you and stopping you from being all that you can be.
I have experienced racial discrimination in my quest to access social housing. My experience is of 15 years on the housing register with my two boys.
Before that, I was living with a boyfriend and it became an abusive relationship, so I had to remove myself from that, and I was actually in a hostel.
In 2007, I registered onto the housing list and it brought me to where I was bidding every Wednesday night at midnight for the next 15 years.
There could be a better way to do this that won't have long-lasting effects afterwards.
Because even now, 15 years later, why should I still be waking up on Wednesdays at midnight?
But it's still stuck in my head because it's just ingrained in me now. It's a form of PTSD that I have from having to do that all those years.
It's like I'm trained to do it now.
So, getting a social home after 15 years... My own bedroom, my kids with their own bedrooms, that was so amazing. A nice big kitchen, because I love to cook as well.
It was– is an amazing feeling.
But it's like, yes, I've been rehoused, but you have to think about where you've been rehoused to and what's going on in that community.
And the community that I live in now there is a problem with grooming. A problem with exploitation.
You don't want to be a sore thumb and be sticking out, you’re just like, you know what, let me just lay low. I don't want to start any trouble, because I know what's going to happen.
Because you can feel that – it goes back to the slippery discrimination thing, it goes back to that – you can feel it.
They're just not saying it, but you can feel the undercurrents of it. And that's where it got to me questioning what is it about me?
Is it because I'm a woman? Is it because I'm black? Is it because I'm a single mum?
I wish there was more of us that are exposing this injustice.
The council's mindset needs to change. Perspective needs to change.
And I think when it comes to you having a job that can change people's lives, that can impact people's lives, I think you need to be a bit more empathetic towards people’s needs.
A bit more sensitive and not make your job just a job.
Make it something that you know is going to change someone's life for the better, not for the worse.
The main thing I would say to people who are out there going through similar situations trying to access social housing, either for themselves, or for their family or growing family, is don't give up.
Just don't look down. When you have the dark days and you don't want to get out of bed, you need something that'll make you get out of bed.
Find it.
Share your story
Now that you’re ready to share your story, please fill out this form.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of stories are you looking for?
We’d love to hear from anyone who has received help from us, and/or has had an experience with bad housing.
Where will my story be used?
We can choose together how your story will be used. It’s important we find a solution that works for you. Your experience could be used as part of our fundraising appeals, on our social media or blog, to support our campaigns, or even in the media – it's all up to you. There may even be an option to speak to a journalist, but that's also your choice. We will respect your wishes, whatever they are.
What should I expect from having my story in the media or published on Shelter's website?
Having your story published in the media or on our website will inevitably put your experiences in the public domain. So, before we publish anything, we will always explain exactly what and where your story will feature, and seek consent from you. Once published, there may be comments from the general public and, while these comments are usually overwhelmingly supportive, occasionally people may respond negatively. We recommend just ignoring these as best you can, but our Stories Team will always be around to support you and answer any queries you have.
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