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Joint Chair
My name is...
Dean Wright and I have lived in Cambridge for about 5 years. I've had sporadic periods of homelessness over the years, never having my own place. I did once, but ended up in the nick, so lost that. In London churches opened their doors every night for a place to sleep, eat and wash on a first come, first serve basis. You had to be in the know as to which church was open that evening. If not, you found somewhere safe to kip. I noticed times had changed when I again became homeless in Cambridge, there was nowhere the council told me; and ushered me out the door. Jimmy's [night-shelter] was an option but due to some not-so-nice experiences in my life that was not an option for me. I came to Cambridge to change my life, not realising it was me who had to change, not the location.
The word home...
means to me a space where I feel safe. I live with anxiety and depression and panic attacks, home is where the severity of these lessens to a great degree. Home is kind of my medication. A place of serenity and peace, just for me, a place where I can call my own.
I will always remember...
my roots and the love of my mother who has always stuck by me even when I have been a real nightmare for her. And the experience of being homeless and the people I met who made me feel at home and welcome, the people who gave me a roll up when I didn't have any and those who listened to my problems with compassion and a genuine understanding of where I was at. Thank you guys and girls.
I would like to forget...
my bills and the person who stole my last 8p many years ago when I was sleeping outside Brixton station. He or she obviously needed it more than me, I'd say.
I enjoy...
most of my life, when anxiety is not affecting me, I enjoy a drink too. I enjoy what I'm doing with Cambridge Link-Up I feel I'm doing something that's not all about me. I enjoy the relationships I have today with the people I know especially Caz, somebody very close to me. Hold up! Stop those minds going crazy, not that close!
"I hate..."
that's a difficult one I hate is a strong statement. I hate marmite, you either love it or you don't, yep I HATE MARMITE. Can we get back to the things we love?
My favourite is...
snooker. I love the game, especially when I'm winning against my best mate. My favourite food is not MARMITE but probably chinese food and the waitresses.
My treasured possession is...
probably my experiences, memories, the good and bad. On the material side of things it's got to be my Mum's necklace she gave me about 10 years ago, at a time in my life when I was very down and lost.
If I ruled the world...
I would probable be dead by now having drank myself to death and put all sorts of drugs in me. On a serious note, I would eradicate poverty which I believe is possible today probably always has been. I'd also force politicians to answer questions. I'd create a world full of love and compassion with more women, no dispersal orders and the police would have to wear pink. Unfortunately we can't change the world but we can change our own world. It's about having some faith in yourself and the belief that you can walk a different path depending on the choices you make.
I am part of Cambridge Link-Up because...
I feel I have found a purpose in life. I feel part of something bigger than me, something that couldn't happen without all the members of the community doing their bit in creating a voice louder than life. Being part of Cambridge Link-Up has lifted my self-esteem, confidence. Everything Cambridge Link-Up is doing is trying to help the lives of people on the streets, if that boils down to helping just one person then it has all been worthwile.Return to Tales from a draughty old fen
