Theatre group praised for helping homeless in Cardiff, thanks to National Lottery funding

After his mother died, Chris* started drug dealing to make money, as well as feed his habit, and ended up sleeping on the streets with no prospects, often getting abuse from passers-by.

But Chris managed to turn his life around after he went to prison, where he was able to add to his education and become a mentor to help other convicts realise their potential.

After battling depression, being homeless and with employment, Chris managed to rebuild his life, and now has a stable job, home, and even has children of his own, thanks to education and the skills he learned at Theatre Versus Oppression.

Theatre Versus Oppression, which was given a grant by The National Lottery for their ‘Behind the Mask’ project, specialises in using Applied Theatre techniques to bring about positive change and development in communities and individuals, including those who have experienced homelessness.

The charity uses applied theatre techniques and counselling methods to allow these people to explore and speak out about their experiences.

Theatre Versus Oppression specialises in using Applied Theatre techniques to bring about positive change and development in communities and individuals who have experienced homelessness

“I was just sleeping on a park-bench, or sometimes a sofa, just finding anywhere I could, but as long as I had the drugs, I had a roof over my head – I’d chosen drugs over my family,” said Chris.

“Initially, I stayed in the city centre because I thought I was safer there – I was wrong. You had people urinating on you, running up and kicking you, one of my mates had a glass bottle put in his jaw when he was asleep and he was only a few doors down from me.

“I almost didn’t want to leave prison – it was a vicious circle; the system wasn’t helping me and I was trying to find a way out.

“Theatre Versus Oppression basically allows you to see yourself in a third person’s perspective. It was hard at first, I never thought I’d be in a theatre play. It was about what was behind the experience, we understood everyone’s story. It changed us for the better and quite a lot of us from there have progressed since.

“Everything I wanted in life – a nice house, nice things, I’ve got lovely children – all came from TVO showing me my self-worth.”

Founder and director of Theatre Versus Oppression Jennifer Hartley said: “His is a great story because he suffers really badly with depression as well. He worked with us for quite a while with a lot of walls up at the start, but the transformation is quite astounding because you’d never have imagined where he had come from a couple of years ago when you see what he’s achieved now.

Theatre Versus Oppression has helped countless people in and around Cardiff

“We're a very small charity and so the funding from the National Lottery for the Behind the Mask project helped us maximise the potential we had to help people through trauma and give people an education to understand their different emotions.”

Strictly Come Dancing star Neil Jones, who struggled with homelessness as a teenager, is highlighting the incredible support National Lottery-funded homeless projects have provided to people all over the UK during the last 10 years.

The 31-year-old professional dancer is now a regular fixture on screens across the UK, but just a few years ago he was in a very different position and, for a brief time, he even found himself sleeping rough on the streets.

With Christmas fast approaching, Neil is helping to highlight the extensive funding and support The National Lottery has provided to homelessness projects over the last decade.

Since 2010, more than half a billion pounds (over £576 million) has been awarded to more than 3,000 projects that involve or support homeless people or help tackle homelessness throughout the UK.

Jones said: “With winter upon us and Christmas just around the corner, now is the perfect time of year to spare a thought for those who don’t have a home to go to or have somewhere safe, comfortable and warm to sleep over the festive period.

“It’s tough to think about the difficult things they’re going through at this time of year because it’s such a time of joy for most of us, but it’s important to recognise that there are so many people out there who really do need our help.

Strictly star Neil Jones has opened up about his experience with homelessness as a teenager

“Thankfully, there are countless incredible charities and organisations doing some really incredible work supporting homeless people across the UK with National Lottery funding.”

The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK, alone has awarded more than 600 grants worth around £80 million to projects that involve homeless people since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic.

David Knott, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “Thanks to National Lottery players, we are able to provide much-needed funding to incredible organisations that are making an important difference to people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.

“Whether supporting people experiencing homelessness to improve prospects for employment, supporting with mental health or providing a safe place where people can build their confidence and self-esteem, dedicated groups and their volunteers are working tirelessly with the homeless community, so that they are better able to overcome challenges and hopefully go on to prosper and thrive.”

Thanks to National Lottery players, more than £30 million goes to good causes across the UK every week, which in turn helps charities and organisations which support homeless people in our communities. To find out more about National Lottery funding go to www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/funding.

*Not his real name.