Former rough sleepers share their stories for exhibition at Lincoln Cathedral

Former rough sleepers have shared their personal stories to inform an art exhibition marking 25 years of Framework, the East Midlands charity working to end homelessness.

Framework’s 25th Anniversary Art Exhibition - at Lincoln Cathedral from 27 October to  5 November - aims to provide a deeper understanding of the complex challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness. 

From trauma to hope to independence brings together paintings, installations, spoken word performance, real life testimonies and a soundscape of noises heard by people experiencing rough sleeping. 

Artists Beatrice Giaquinto, Inge Tong and David ‘Stick Man’ Higgins held a series of art workshops with service users and frontline staff in Nottingham, Lincoln and Mansfield to hear stories of trauma, support and recovery. 

Artist Beatrice Giaquinto has created three pieces including one inspired by an archive of 25 years of Framework Annual Reports, which tell the story of the charity and the impact it has made on people’s lives across the region. Another piece ‘Caught and Held’ is a response to the description of Framework being a safety net, having caught people and prevented them from ‘falling through the cracks’.

Beatrice said: “It has been a tremendous privilege to create this exhibition. As artists, we were inspired by the honesty, resilience, and unique perspectives of the participants. The exhibition is a diverse, creative response to the stories we have heard. This experience has solidified my belief in the humanistic power of creativity and the profound intrinsic value of art as a healing and social change tool.”

Service users past and present have also contributed pieces to a collection of poetry and prose and created artwork for a postcard collection, available to purchase at the exhibition and online. 

James is a neurodivergent poet, former rough sleeper and recovering addict whose experiences of homelessness began in adolescence and continued intermittently for more than two decades. 

Drawing upon his experiences of addiction, trauma and social exclusion, James uses poetry as a constructive outlet to explore identity, survival and recovery. Some of his poems feature in the collection created for the exhibition. 

James said: “Poetry has been a lifeline for me, providing a constructive outlet for the lasting effects of trauma. 

“During a difficult period of homelessness, Framework was one of the few organisations that genuinely listened and understood my circumstances. Their willingness to help, including accommodating my dog if necessary, meant a great deal.

“Being heard without judgement can make all the difference. That’s why charities like Framework are so vital.”

Ruby, 23, from Lincoln, experienced homelessness moving between hotels and hostels with very little stability while trying to cope with the trauma of a sexual assault. 

Things began to look hopeful for Ruby when she was referred to Framework. What made the difference for Ruby wasn’t just having a home, it was having someone who consistently listened to her and supported her in her recovery by attending appointments with her, helping her to understand bills and address the traumatic circumstances that led to her becoming homeless in the first place.

Ruby has shared her story and how she has now got her life back on track with the help and support of Framework, and her testimony is one of the powerful stories featured in the exhibition.

Ruby said: “I really can’t thank Framework enough for giving me the support that has literally saved my life.”

Lawrence received help from Nottingham Recovery Network, part of Framework, to help get his life back on track after he found himself in a dark place struggling with mental illness and substance use. His recorded testimony is one of seven lived experience stories featured in the exhibition. 

Lawrence said: “I wanted to be part of this exhibition because if my vulnerability in telling my story can help just one person in any way then it is worth doing, that’s the only way we learn. 

“This exhibition to me is a beautiful display of vulnerability and truth. It is also a lovely reminder to myself of how far I’ve come on my own journey. It also reminds me to be true to myself and be proud of myself and just take it one day at a time.”

Lisa is a former rough sleeper who has been housed and supported by Framework. Lisa continues to receive support and now volunteers for the charity.  Her recorded testimony and poems feature in the 25th Anniversary Collection. 

Lisa said: “After years of addiction and 8 and a half months of sleeping rough in Nottingham, moving into Framework's supported accommodation service was a turning point for me. Since then I've come a long way, with a long way still to go. I'm so grateful to Framework's staff for always being there for me, for being my rock.”

‘Breathing Space’ is a performance poem by David ‘Stick Man’ Higgins that reflects on the deeply human power of compassion, connection, and community support. The poem honours the Framework staff that provide hope, dignity and opportunity, offering a place of refuge and a catalyst for personal transformation, creativity, and growth.

David said: “The poem is an amalgam of people’s truth and experience, witnessing friendship, support, care and trust changing people’s perceptions of each other and releasing creativity.  For a few hours, the spaces in the workshops became vibrant and so present.”

‘Transformation’ by artist Inge Tong is inspired by the art, conversation and unique time which evolved during the art workshops with Framework service users. 

The exhibition is touring the region and is next open to the public at Lincoln Cathedral (27 October–5 November), St Mary’s Church in Nottingham (17-22 November) and a final stop at the charity music festival Beat The Streets on 31 January. 

To find out more, go to www.frameworkha.org/25th-anniversary-exhibition