Capturing Crawley Open House

Every Christmas we pop to the shops and buy a few gloves, hats and some food to bring over to Crawley Open House. Both my boys have always been keen on supporting this charity, but my youngest, especially, has always gone that step further. He doesn't give Christmas cards to his friends at school but instead donates £15 to COH every year. Imagine if all the children in our schools did that - 'little drops of water make a mighty ocean'.

My first proper interaction with COH was during my 'Capturing Lockdown' project in 2020. I took this photo of Ian with service users and volunteers outside, what was then, their only building.

Since then I have photographed one of their 'Sleeping Out' initiatives and taken part in fundraisers such as '100 for the Homeless'.

My youngest and I slept in sleeping bags in our conservatory one winter night to raise funds. Not exactly sleeping on the streets, but it was cold, and I jumped into my bed the next morning, which is of course not an option if you're sleeping on the streets.

A little while back I was contacted by Paul (COH marketing) asking if I could take photos for their new website and social media etc. Of course, I loved to do this. So I spent a couple of days at their 'home' which has now expanded since I first visited. Every night they are 'home' for around 60 people. They provide breakfast, lunch and dinner. They have a day centre where you can visit for breakfast, to receive specialist advice, with both practical and emotional support, and there's also a laundry room and a shower. They even hand out food parcels.

Before I visited, I didn't know that the resource centre offers life skills - helping people take the next step towards controlling their situation. Computer, cooking and barista lessons, to name a few.

Homelessness can happen to anyone. It feels far away when I'm sitting on the sofa, in my cosy warm house typing this, but we all face choices in life. I am sure most of you, just as I, have at some point looked back and thought "I'm so glad I didn't go for that option". But in some cases people have gone for 'that option', 'that risk', and things have just spiralled out of control. At some point we were all children - hoping to become a firefighter, an astronaut, a film star, an accountant (well....maybe not an accountant). Crawley Open House sees that in each person.

Whilst I visited, I had some wonderful conversations with their residents and service users. From music to photography, travelling to meditation, favourite foods to films.

I probably talked too much, as usual, but I do love finding out about people and sharing life experiences. We are all so different but you will often find a common interest or point of view.

I have been lucky that my photography has brought me to meet so many people I would otherwise have missed. I have had the opportunity to learn about other peoples' lives and for that I am very grateful.

It has given me so much perspective.

Crawley Open House is so much more than a 'homeless shelter' it provides opportunities and dignity.

If you would like to support them too, here is a link to their donation page https://www.crawleyopenhouse.co.uk/makea-donation

I have written this blog based on my own experience and may not be the opinion of anyone featured in this blog. I do not represent Crawley Open House.

#CrawleyOpenHouse #Homelessness #Photography #WestSussex