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Street Life People Group

Street Life People Group

Street Life People CIC | Street Life People Group | SLP Research

Investing in lives

Multimedia Broadcasting Network Mental Health

Our legacy is every life we touch ...

Creative Corporate Campaigns | Impact Photojournalism Frontline Research | Instagram | Twitter
TikTok | Streetlifepeople.com | LinkedIn | Youtube | SLP Podcast | Publishing | SLP Webinars | World Media Links

MY VISION AS CREATIVE DIRECTOR ...

My vision as a Creative Director and Photojournalist is simple...

To create a multimedia network that invests in lives, gives a voice to everyday people, one that ultimately raises awareness through impact photojournalism & creative corporate campaigns, and in turn through dedicated research pioneers a whole new approach to suicide prevention.

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      • Steve Jones – West Ham
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      • Thomas Fox | Book Launch
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      • SLP Webinars | Suicide Awareness & Prevention
    • Around the world in media
  • The Edit Frontline Photojournalism
    • Silence of Suicide | April 2021
    • Self Harm | March 2021
    • Mental Health In Children & Young Adults | Feb 2021
    • Turning Pain Into Power | Jan 2021
    • Invisible People | Dec 2020
    • Focus on Mens Mental Health Nov 2020
  • Around The World In Media
  • Conferences & Health Summits
    • CX Spotlight Conference | International Women’s Day
  • Creative Corporate Campaign Portfolio
  • SLP Research | Investing In Lives
    • The Silence of Suicide
    • SLP Webinars | Suicide Awareness & Prevention
    • Our Vision
    • Footprints Legacy
    • A Walk In My Shoes | Suicide Prevention
      • Photojournalism Research Portfolio
      • Suicide Prevention & awareness photo journalism programme
  • The Silence of Suicide
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  • Street Life People CIC | Our Philanthropic Work
    • Creative Arts Collective
    • Street Life People CIC | Our Philanthropic Work
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  • SLP Business Alliance Working Partnerships
    • Marketing Strategy
  • Creative Arts Collective
    • Toby Brown | Senior Artist In Residence
    • Thomas Fox | Literacy
      • Thomas Fox | Book Launch
    • Sam Chaplin | Photography
    • Jasmine Hill | Art
      • Jasmine Hill | Expression of my mental health through art
    • Sophie Griffiths | Music
      • Sophie – Whole

THE EDIT | PHOTOJOURNALISM ON THE FRONT LINE PORTFOLIO

Photojournalism on the front line.
Giving a voice to everyday people
real life… raw… always unfiltered…

 

Every photo tells a story, click each one below to read the journey behind the image…

streetlifepeople

Giving A Voice To Everyday Peoples Stories
Pushing Boundaries In Photo Journalism
& Street Photography ...
Dedicated To Raising Awareness
THE EDIT Men's Health Week 2021 A personal invit THE EDIT Men's Health Week 2021 A personal invite to join me ... THE EDIT our new unique pioneering high impact photojournalism project exploring and researching life, mental health and emotional wellbeing projected through the eyes of truly inspirational people ... I am launching on Mens Health Week with creating an ongoing year long collaborative collective of truly inspirational men ... I would love all you amazing men to dm us to join us on this incredible journey by way of sharing your story, professional insight or to offer vital supportive resources for the research ... Whether it be trauma, courage, inner strength, battling the odds, pursuing a dream, overcoming challenges, adversity, defying the laws of gravity, poverty, disease, war, divorce, job loss ... there is always hope x The pioneering part ... placing the human back into humanity, transforming lives through our vital research and developing transformational visionary educational concepts, global ground breaking technologies and using the powerful tool and momentum of cognitive neuroscience. THE EDIT will feature a book, major photographic exhibition, screenplay and collated research data ... Modern life needs a modern approach ... #mentalhealth #menshealthweek #menshealthweek2021 #suicideprevention #itsokaytotalk #mentalhealthmatters #men #research #tattoo #trauma #neuroscience
Ben … Blue light … Everyone Knows Ben, Nobody Ben … Blue light … Everyone Knows Ben, Nobody Knows Me .... Mental Health Awareness Week 2021 .  Ben is an emergency dispatcher by profession and works for the Ambulance Service. He is also a man aged 22 who attempted to take his own life … . I have been working with Ben recently and we wanted to highlight that behind a smile every day, a uniform, a brave front in a call centre there can be hidden pain, despair, words unspoken and a silent whisper for help … . As Ben said poignantly to me of himself ‘Everyone knows Ben, nobody knows me’... . Prior to attempting suicide Ben had lost a close friend himself to suicide, dealt with an abusive relationship, lost his best friend in a car accident, been bullied for his sexual orientation and had been maintaining his vital role at work ... . Feeling so low and at the time feeling unable to share how he was feeling Ben tried to end his life, although today he knows he did not want to die, he just wanted someone to listen, not judge and understand his raw emotional pain …  . Ben is testament that with support from professionals, friends and family there is light at the end of what can seem at the time a very dark tunnel ... . Thankfully in Bens case, A Blue light …. As this incredible young man, I am now privileged to call a friend is being nominated for his selfless work and has been shortlisted to the finals of the National control room awards. Helplines : SAMARITANS: call 116 123 for free, anytime . CALM (for men) call 0800 58 58 58 from 5pm - midnight, 365 days a year #mentalhealthawarenessweek #suicideprevention #mentalhealthmatters #itsokaytotalk #paramedic #999 #bluelight #ambulance #mentalhealth #streetlifepeople
Man In The Mist ..... Visit our new Etsy Gallery Man In The Mist ..... Visit our new Etsy Gallery Unsaturated Life and online store to purchase my original beautiful raw photographic unsaturated images of real life ... Direct link is in bio above and we will be showcasing and updating our images regularly all our social media platforms ... I will be donating a percentage of sales from every photograph to my ongoing dedicated lifelong suicide prevention research ... Thank you for your continued support xxx #photography #photograph #art #seaside #blackandwhitephotography #suicideprevention #unsaturatedimages #etsy #mist #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealth #itsokaytotalk
My Happy Place xx National Stress Awareness Month My Happy Place xx National Stress Awareness Month . Happy Restful Easter Everyone ... . The team and myself are taking the long weekend to relax, and hoping the sunshine will stay to find time on the coast in my happy place behind the camera xx . STREET LIFE PEOPLE GROUP ... Impact Photojournalism Creating A Vision To Give A Voice To Everyday Inspirational People ... . streetlifepeople.com #nationalstressawarenessmonth2021 #stress #nationalstressawarenessday #easter #mentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #itsokaytotalk #happyplace #canon #impactphotojournalism #blackandwhitephotography #streetlifepeople
ESTHER RANTZEN INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN INVITATION xx . ESTHER RANTZEN INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN INVITATION xx . STREET LIFE PEOPLE GROUP have been invited to attend an exciting event this week with WOMEN IN TV FILM & MEDIA and ESTHER RANTZEN ... . Our SLP Multimedia network platform has become a member and part of Women in Film and TV, and is the leading organisation for women working in the media. . Dame Esther Rantzen, founder of the charities ChildLine and The Silver Line will be talking to us about her new Channel 5 documentary Living With Grief and also Esther's experiences of being a woman working in television for half a century and the changes she's seen and been a part of along the way !! . We feel privileged here at SLP to receive our special invitation, especially given we sign post regularly to ChildLine on our mental health social media posts and website.   . STREET LIFE PEOPLE GROUP ... A Multimedia network that invests in lives, gives a voice to everyday people, one that ultimately raises awareness on modern mental health through impact photojournalism, and in turn through dedicated research pioneers a whole new approach to suicide prevention. . streetlifepeople.com #women #womeninmedia #childline #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #itsokaytotalk #esterrantzen #womenintv #tv #inspirationalwomen #grief #streetlifepeople
MEET THOMAS xx . I am really happy to introduce Th MEET THOMAS xx . I am really happy to introduce Thomas to our team here at STREET LIFE PEOPLE ... . Thomas has taken the coveted place of Co Writer in residence under our SLP CREATIVE ARTS COLLECTIVE programme. . A Collective dedicated to children and young adults living with mental health struggles or who have faced trauma and adversity in their young lives. . Thomas has a diagnosis of both psychosis and OCD, and it is my absolute privilege to work with him. . Our first literacy project coming to life will be a children's book co authored by myself and Thomas, titled How To Live With Monsters ... . A beautifully illustrated story based around mental health through the written word, and dedicated to those of a younger generation. . The book will be taken into primary schools nationally to raise an awareness on mental health and in creative writing workshops providing a legacy ripple effect for thousands of children in the future. . Meet our whole team and follow our progress and work on the book behind the scenes on our website streetlifepeople.com  #creativearts #author #cowriter #books #mentalhealth #streetlifepeople #psychosis #ocd #art #illustrations #artistsinresidence #creativewritingworkshops
Following The Duke and Duchess Of Sussex’s Inter Following The Duke and Duchess Of Sussex’s Interview with Oprah , here at Street Life People we were disappointed and concerned at some irresponsible comments made in the media. It is vital that when anyone reaches out for support or shares their experiences of mental health or suicidal thoughts that they are treated with dignity, respect and empathy. If you or anyone you know is feeling impacted please reach out for support using the sign posts below. Mind - 0300 123 3393 Samaritans- 116 123 Childline - 0800 1111 Text - SHOUT to 85258 #meghanmarkle #oprah #oprahwinfrey #princeharry #itsokaytotalk #mentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthisimportant #royalfamily #suicideprevention #streetlifepeople
This is dedicated to Jenny xx INTERNATIONAL WOMEN' This is dedicated to Jenny xx INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 2021 . There are many millions of beautiful, creative, intelligent, inspiring, talented and brave women all over the world, and today we should celebrate each and everyone of them and the journeys they are all on .... . This post for International Women's Day 2021 is dedicated to my dear friend and woman of substance Jenny .... . A dedicated counsellor, who has many a time changed my own life's trajectory, and who despite herself having endured trauma, is one of the most open minded inspiring beautiful women of wisdom I know. . Jenny inspired me to learn the mantra, only try to change what you can, what you have no or little control over, put to one side .... . In her 70's today Jenny continues to inspire and at times challenge me, and on that note I wouldn't ever change a thing ❤ xx #internationalwomensday #internationalwomensday2021 #womeninjournalism #womeninmedia #mentalhealth #itsokaytotalk #counsellor #women #mentalhealthmatters #trauma #love #jenny #streetlifepeople
A reflection of words ... Self Injury Awareness Da A reflection of words ... Self Injury Awareness Day 2021 Raising awareness on self harm and self injury ... You need never suffer alone ... Vital helplines, as help is always available ... Mind - 0300 123 3393 Samaritans- 116 123 Child line - 0800 1111 Text - SHOUT to 85258 #mentalhealth #selfinjuryawarenessday #selfinjuryawareness #selfinjuryrecovery #mentalhealthmatters #itsoktotalk #recovery #helplinesuk #streetlifepeople
Bjorn is my friend, a man of depth and integrity, Bjorn is my friend, a man of depth and integrity, and a writer like myself … He opened up to me recently on the subject of self-harm and losing his father to suicide. . Bjorn began self-harming at the tender age of 17, feeling at the time disconnected from friends and family, the pressures of society and in his words feeling invisible to everyday life around him. . Just for a moment he felt the physical pain deflected from the raw emotional pain so deep inside him. Finding it difficult to verbalise how he felt and becoming detached from his feelings of pain and hurt. . Raw emotions like Bjorn's have been shared me with during lots of interviews, and often relates to undiagnosed root causes, mental health or trauma. . Bjorn later lost his estranged father to suicide in his thirties, no letter was left or a reason for Bjorn to understand why. This impacted Bjorn and he told me this left him questioning his genetic family make up and leaving him with the fragile delicate role of telling his own young children of the loss of a grandparent. . It also made him reflect on his own life’s direction, and how especially important it is for him to open up to others around him, to express to friends and family when he’s feeling low, and to seek professional help when the overwhelming emotions become a little too much ...   Samaritans Call 116 123 Email jo@samaritans.org Childline 0800 1111 for children and young people under 19 #selfharmawareness #mentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthisimportant #mensmentalhealth #suicideprevention #trauma #itsoktotalk #emotionalwellbeing #streetlifepeople
JASMINE XX . Jasmine is my PA and has started on a JASMINE XX . Jasmine is my PA and has started on a business administration apprenticeship with me, she is also a talented artist and a young lady who has already in her young life suffered so much trauma … . At the tender age of 11, Jasmine lost her dad aged 40 to a blood clot induced heart attack, which triggered in her PTSD. Having been called to her primary school office, Jasmine vividly remembers walking across the playground courtyard thinking she was in trouble, only to find her older sister crying and to hear the news dad had gone. No time to say goodbye to him, and the shock of loosing him so suddenly having hoped he was getting better and moving to a closer hospital … . Jasmine has also endured heartless bullying in later years at high school, which developed existing trauma into anxiety and depression. Lacking confidence, she has found it difficult finding mainstream employment, and I remember the day I first met Jasmine, she was visibly a young lady at 19 raw with emotion and not recognising in herself her incredible talent … . I took her on the project as our artist in residence wanting her to flourish. On one of her first days, she asked me whether she could keep her vibrant pink coloured hair being my PA, my answer was an emotional heartfelt YES … . Working with me at Street Life People Group, before my eyes I now see a young woman transitioning, and as the lyrics in the Bette Midler song The Rose, ‘In the winter far beneath the bitter snows, lies the seed that with the suns love in the spring becomes the rose’ …. xx . NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK MENTAL HEALTH IN CHILDREN & YOUNG ADULTS . streetlifepeople.com   IMPACT PHOTOJOURNALISM  . childbereavement.org Supporting bereaved children and young people #mentalhealth #ptsd #anxiety #depression #apprentice
MICHAEL ... FROM MY HANDS TO YOURS THIS CHRISTMAS MICHAEL ... FROM MY HANDS TO YOURS THIS CHRISTMAS ... streetlifepeople.com  . I met Michael who is sleeping rough while out delivering our Christmas food hampers, working in partnership with one of our SLP Business Alliance Members Tesco. . I wanted to share something ... so SIMPLE yet so POWERFUL, in the hope that we might all show more compassion to those homeless out there this Christmas. . Michael opened the food hamper which included a traditional chocolate selection box, and right before my eyes, this grown man regressed back to childhood ... . A simple chocolate bar, from my clean fingers, to his hands so sore with broken calluses and years of ingrained dirt. . Michael's eyes filled full of tears and in that moment, it hit me like a ton of bricks, on the streets alone scared tonight, he could be anyones son, dad, husband, boyfriend, or brother ... . Michael's story is sadly one of many ... On Friday out with our last few hampers, we came across a very young lad who had been bottled and assaulted without reason, by a member of the public, a young mum who's only able at the moment to have limited contact with her kids with no roof over her head , and so many others struggling with their mental health or addictions to numb their pain ... . So whether in a corporate high rise, investment bank or like me warm in my own home this Christmas, let's come together and do our very best for those who we might normally pass by without giving a second glance. . There were an estimated 778 deaths of homeless people in England and Wales last year, with 112 of those estimated to be by suicide (Office National Statistics) ... anyone of those sadly could have been our family member or friend ... . Our SLP Christmas Homeless photojournalism campaign INVISIBLE PEOPLE is dedicated to all those we've met and worked with, who are sleeping rough and without somewhere to call home, each and everyone of them at breaking point ... . Thank to you to our sponsors Rhiain and the team at Tesco Maldon, to Dan at Point Graphics for our corporate branding and to Willow & Fox for the lovely bobble hats xx STREET LIFE PEOPLE ... REAL LIFE ... RAW ...  ALWAYS UNFILTERED...
INVISIBLE PEOPLE SLP HOMELESS AT CHRISTMAS CAMPAI INVISIBLE PEOPLE SLP HOMELESS AT CHRISTMAS CAMPAIGN . Our SLP Christmas Homeless photojournalism campaign INVISIBLE PEOPLE is dedicated to all those we've met and worked with, who are sleeping rough and without somewhere to call home ... . Each and everyone of them at breaking point ... . Most just wanting someone to understand, listen for a moment, something warm to drink and eat, and to regain a sense of self again, to feel a part of everyday society ... . Homelessness can happen to anyone of us, a breakdown in a relationship, the loss of a job and income, experiencing domestic abuse, or struggling unsupported with mental health ... . We've worked with women on the streets suffering from PTSD after fleeing domestic abuse, very young teenagers who are having strangers trying to get into their sleeping bags at night (shockingly that's general members of the public, not other homeless adults doing this !!!), and men on the brink of giving up, having lost employment and touch with their families ... . Working in partnership with Tesco, one of our SLP Business Alliance members, the SLP team have been out delivering food hampers to those that we can, so just for a moment, those on the streets aren't INVISIBLE PEOPLE ... . Thank you also to Dan at Point Graphics for supplying our Christmas campaign SLP Corporate Branding STREET LIFE PEOPLE ... GIVING A VOICE TO EVERYDAY PEOPLE ... REAL LIFE ... RAW ... UNFILTERED ... #homeless #homelessness #roughsleeper #nofixedabode #ptsd #christmas #mentalhealth #mentalhawareness #domesticabuse #domesticviolence #tesco #invisblepeople #streetlifepeople
Sophie .... From Busking To The Voice Of An Angel Sophie .... From Busking To The Voice Of An Angel x . Launching our SLP CHRISTMAS HOMELESS CAMPAIGN INVISIBLE PEOPLE . Sophie at 18 has written and recorded our SLP Christmas campaign song “WHOLE” . It's a beautiful song with powerful lyrics, evoking strong emotions around struggling as a teen with mental health. Loosing yourself in the chaos of adolescence, peer pressure and everyday frantic life. . I met Sophie one rainy day in the city last year, while she was out busking on the streets. The bond we've formed together since has become a strong one, and I know she is destined for great things ... . She has the purest vocals and literally the voice of an angel. I have to say Sophie brings a lump to my throat everytime I hear her sing. . We've embedded this beautiful song on our website streetlifepeople.com, igniting the existing passion behind our powerful content of real life raw photographic images. . Links to Sophie's music are also available via our SLP social media and streetlifepeople.com website ... It's also on our insta story above x . http://hyperurl.co/8v8t3e Download or Stream via Apple Music Spotify Google Play and Amazon Music #mentalhealth #music #artist #christmas #anxiety #homeless #homelessness #busker #busking #roughsleeper #singer #songwriter #invisblepeople #mentalhealthawareness #streetlifepeople
Toby ... Behind The Smile Living With Paranoid Sc Toby ... Behind The Smile Living With Paranoid Schizophrenia . Toby is our new Senior Artist in Residence here at Street Life People ... . On Mens International Day, I wanted to share Toby's story with you, one of the most talented UK artists of today, Toby also lives with Paranoid Schizophrenia. . Currently working on projects under our SLP Creative Arts Collective, and busy in his studio creating masterpieces for his 2021 Art Exhibition Behind The Smile ... . Diagnosed in 2009 while in hospital under section, Toby then became homeless following his marriage breakdown. Living in a caravan parked up on an industrial estate, Toby decided to pick up the paintbrush again after years of not painting, and as Toby says the rest is history ... . See Toby's amazing artwork on our working in partnership page ... streetlifepeople.com . STREET LIFE PEOPLE ... GIVING A VOICE TO EVERYDAY PEOPLE ... REAL LIFE ... RAW ... UNFILTERED ... tobybrownartist.com www.rethink.org #paranoidschizophrenia #schizophrenia #mensinternationalday #art #artist #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthisimportant #itsokaytotalk #rethink #suicideprevention #portrait #behindthesmile #artgallery #psychosis #streetlifepeople
MEET OUR BRAND NEW SLP TEAM I am really excited to MEET OUR BRAND NEW SLP TEAM I am really excited to introduce our brand new team here at Street Life People . We're quite a talented bunch, all with a passion to raising awareness on mental health, and dedicated to research into suicide prevention through photojournalism . Mike is our new Director of Comms, and has done a fantastic job making our website streetlifepeople.com look absolutely amazing . Take a look to see what we're all up to and the huge impact we're making in mental health moving forwards . Jasmine and Billy are starting out on apprenticeship programmes working alongside Ginger Nut Media . Toby has taken on the role of senior artist in residence on the project, and will oversee our Creative Arts Collective. Chris is in on hand to provide vital business development support as we continue to evolve and grow, and Chase is a dab hand in the podcast arena . Thank you also to our patrons, Dan, Elliott and Steve for their continued hard work behind the scenes and input here at SLP ... Guess I'm ok behind the camera too 🤩 Tuesday Xx Creative Director Street Life People STREET LIFE PEOPLE ... GIVING A VOICE TO EVERYDAY PEOPLE ... REAL LIFE ... RAW ... UNFILTERED ... #streetlifepeople #meettheteam #mentalhealth #itsokaytotalk #mentalhealthisimportant #broadcastingmedia #suicideprevention #art #music #photojournalism #theedit #anxiety #depression #ocd #ptsd
Chase ... Opening up is more than ok ... Suicide p Chase ... Opening up is more than ok ... Suicide prevention & awareness MENS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS . Working with Chase today these words touched my heart to the core, and it's this kind of raw emotion which will create change in mental health and let others know out there who relate to this, one they are not alone, and two that there is always light at the end of the tunnel during dark times and it's always ok to express that emotion and reach out for support available when needed. . I’m Chase Marks, 37 years old and for several years I have fantasised about my own suicide. . I use the word fantasy to make a strong distinction - I have never attempted suicide or made a detailed plan to do so. But in my daily life I’ve have the unbearable urge to think about it. It took a long time to open up about these thoughts but once I did I realised just how common a bracket I found myself in. . For me and so many others depression was something I hid behind a huge grin, was the life and soul of the party and the shoulder for others to cry on. But not taking enough time for ourselves catches up with us and the thoughts of suicide eventually become too much to keep a secret. . My first confession of these thoughts was several years ago. It was a dramatic scene, crying with my partner on the bathroom floor, feeling shamed and fearful of the burden I now placed on her. But looking back now the situation feels so far removed from the couple we are today. That was the lowest I have ever felt, the only way out was truly upwards and a long journey to council my way out of depression and connect with others like myself. . Because of my bravery on that day it led me to accept and believe that with counselling and perseverance you are able to continue no matter how hard daily life can be and how frequent thoughts become. . So if you meet someone like me make sure you offer them hope. Help them build something to live for, until the odds against those thoughts are always in their favour. Because I hear those whispers every day and I’m still here. . SAMARITANS: call 116 123 for free, anytime . CALM (for men) call 0800 58 58 58 from 5pm - midnight, 365 days a year
Billy Editorial Junior Content Producer Apprentic Billy Editorial Junior Content Producer Apprenticeship SLP Meet The Team x . I am really happy to introduce Billy as our new Editorial Junior Content Producer here at Street Life People. . We have started Billy on an apprenticeship through SLP, working alongside Ginger Nut Media. . Billy is 16, and studied Creative Media at High School. He has a passion for raising awareness on mental health and for working on the frontline in our community. . We are totally transparent here at Street Life People updating regularly on our progress, the difference we are making in our community and our compliance with CIC financial guidelines through our assigned accountant. . Street Life People ... continuing to give everyday people's stories a voice, whilst raising that vital awareness on mental health and pushing boundaries in photojournalism, wherever we are in the world. #editor #apprenticeship #theapprentice #streetlifepeople #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthisimportant #boomarang #portrait #sexy #creativemedia #media #digitalart
Chris ... From that day on x National Suicide Awar Chris ... From that day on x National Suicide Awareness Prevention . Chris is one of the loveliest men you could meet, in fact I have him saved in my mobile as just that Lovely Man. . Chris is also a survivor of attempted suicide and working together with SLP & Upbeat Life, Chris is sharing his story, during National Suicide Awareness Prevention month, in the hope of raising vital insight thru photojournalism. . Having no prior history of suicidal thoughts, Chris woke up on what he described as one beautiful morning in May 2007, and decided today was the day he didn't want to be here anymore. . At that time having been recently diagnosed with MS, he had found himself descending into darkness, suffering with Anxiety and stress. Long hours in the hospitality industry and his then marriage failing, Chris recognised in hindsight his anxiety lead to depression. . Sadly Chris made an attempt to end his life, by driving to the A130 and unsuccessfully attempting to throw himself under a moving truck. . Chris survived by pulling back at the last moment, bruised and traumatised having no compassion for himself, only for the lorry driver. The thought of the impact of his attempt on the lorry driver saved his life. . Chris told me he felt immense guilt and overwhelming emotion, and knew from that day, he would not attempt to do this again. . He recognised he needed help and drove straight to his GP and was sectioned. Realising he had hit rock bottom, he successfully sought help through counselling, baring his soul in therapy. . I am very proud to call Chris my friend, and for his courage in sharing his story. We both gained a vital insight into what went through his mind on that day in 2007, and by opening up and knowing it's ok to talk about how you feel, we hope so many more lives can be saved in the future. . A beautiful man dedicated to @UpbeatLife_uk fighting MS daily to the hilt it was my privilege to record Chris's story as our first, on our 'Men Dont Cry' (A walk in my shoes) suicide prevention & awareness unique photojournalism research programme. . SAMARITANS: call 116 123 for free, anytime . CALM (for men) call 0800 58 58 58 from 5pm - midnight, 365 days a year
Dear John xx SLP Summer Beach Life People Series . Dear John xx SLP Summer Beach Life People Series ... . On the project I sometimes meet up and work with those who are homeless and sleeping rough, and capture their story through the lens of the camera. This is John's story ... . I met John at the seaside over the Bank Holiday weekend and he opened up to me about his life and sleeping rough. . Formerly a street fundraiser for Friends Of The Earth, ironically he now finds himself homeless and without many friends. Shockingly too, he has been sleeping rough during the covid 19 lockdown. Alone on the streets, unprotected, socially distanced to the extreme. . Homeless for two years, it's been tough on him, and that is clearly evident from the exhausted sadness in his eyes and worn out lines on what should be a young man's face. . John finds a quiet comfort in sleeping outside by the sea and beach, and journals his thoughts daily. Frightened and without access to the media, he showed me pages and pages of his perception of what's going on in the 'real world '. . 'People poke me at night in my sleeping bag in the city', he told me. Beach life is safer. . Unable to finance his own home and struggling with no fixed abode, he told me 'It's been a better morning this morning, daytrippers gave me enough for something to eat and a couple of cigars'. . It can happen to anyone ... . SAMARITANS: call 116 123 for free, anytime . CALM (for men) call 0800 58 58 58 from 5pm - midnight, 365 days a year . Street Life People ... continuing to give everyday people's stories a voice, whilst raising that vital awareness on mental health and pushing boundaries in photojournalism, wherever we are in the world. . #homeless #tattoo #blackandwhite #photography #beach #like #instagram #dearjohn #bhfyp #photooftheday #photo #art #model #camera #roughsleeper #nofixedabode #portrait #lockdown #mentalhealthawareness #worldsuicidepreventionmonth #onthestreets #buskers
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