Hi! I'm Jenna, recently in my 40s and currently living on my own in the hills near Manchester. I love nature, climbing, long hikes, repairing stuff and sharing wholesome experiences with beautiful people. There are many labels that might apply to me, but perhaps let's just say I'm best described by my friends as "definitely not normal".

I wasn't always the outgoing, happy person I (generally) am today, in fact in my younger years I suffered greatly with depression and addiction. In 2005 I was homeless and slept rough for two months, followed by two vulnerable years as a prostitute/escort, before being given a second chance at life. I'm one of the lucky ones - I had family, friends and the support of volunteers to help me escape the streets and sex work, a privilege many unhoused people lack. Even so, my experiences have left scars I still struggle to hide at times, both physical and mental, which continue to affect how I'm able to interact with a society in which a good start to life is oft essential to success and happiness.

There are many reasons why people become homeless and everyone's story is unique. Cause and consequence can become muddled, people are judged for their symptoms and shunned further from the society of which they are a part. Isolation can engulf the victims of homelessness, guilt swallowing their hope and ultimately ending their fight. I have lost many friends to the spectre of failed expectations, suicide taking wonderful minds from us far too soon.

Homelessness IS preventable, if we choose as a society to value and help all, regardless their symptoms. The cycle of harm can be broken if we work together, holistically, to create proper foundations from which people can build the lives they wish to live.