Understand
Ex-rough sleeper Lisa Barlow shares her story of recovery and volunteering with Nottingham homelessness charity Framework
Overview
A 47-year-old former rough sleeper in Nottingham, Lisa Barlow, has shared her journey of overcoming trauma and addiction with the help of the homeless charity Framework. Her story is featured in a new exhibition at Southwell Minster celebrating the charity's 25th anniversary, which aims to highlight the challenges of homelessness through art, installations, and real-life testimonies before touring other regional locations.
Key points
- Lisa Barlow spent eight and a half months sleeping rough in Nottingham and battling addiction before receiving help from the charity Framework.
- Barlow now works as a volunteer for Framework, hoping to inspire and help others facing similar struggles.
- Her recorded testimony and poems are part of a 25th-anniversary exhibition titled 'From trauma to hope to independence'.
- The exhibition opened at Southwell Minster until 20 October before touring to Lincoln Cathedral, St Mary's Church in Nottingham, and the Beat The Streets music festival.
- Framework chief executive Claire McGonigle stated that the exhibition celebrates the achievements of service users over the past 25 years.