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Name: | James Armstrong |
Age: | 20 |
Year of the Fix: | 2009 |
Location: | Newcastle |
Campaign: | I found myself homeless and involved in drugs at an early age |
When I was 16 I went through a pretty tough time. Things at home just weren’t good and it got to the point where it was unbearable and I ended up leaving.
At first I crashed at mates houses ‘sofa surfing’ for a while but that didn’t last long. After struggling to find somewhere to live I ended up going to a local housing advice centre and that’s when I became officially homeless in the system. I spent 6 months living in a hostel in Newcastle.
I was actually working during my time living there but many of the other people were living off benefits. It was hard to resist getting involved – some days I’d just feel like giving up work and joining them.
Recently, I made a film with my friends to show the reality of being homeless, how the system fails lots of young people. You can watch it here.
I now living in my own flat and I’m about to complete my degree at Newcastle College in Television & Media. My love of the arts has helped me through tough times and I intend to use it to continue to help other young people who find themselves in the same situation as me.
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Me and my friends want young people to know that calories aren't the enemy!
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