Richard Wernham and Chris Payne take part in the Speak With My Voice project at the Deptford Churches Centre
Since the start of the year, homeless and vulnerable people have been creating
poetry and music with professional writers and musicians. MARK CHANDLER reports.
NICKY Goulder is the co-founder and executive
director of charity Create.
Ms Goulder says its project, Speak With My Voice, is a great help to people on the margins of society who often go unheard.
She said: "At our first workshop each year, we often find participants quite guarded. Some are reticent even to share their names with the group.
"It's amazing to watch this change as they grow in confidence and begin to share their own stories through the poetry and music they create.
"I also love seeing the way friendships start and flourish."
Create is based in the City of London and uses the arts to improve the lives of disadvantaged and vulnerable people.
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A group of around 30 adults have been involved with its project since it started in January.
Members have been meeting at the Deptford Churches Centre, in Speedwell Street, on a weekly basis and finally performed
their poetry and music there on March 28.
Sylvester Lewis says the project has "reached parts of me no-one else could reach"
In the sessions they were given activities including writing a poem on lost and found objects, the first noises they hear when they wake up in the morning and their idea of happiness.
Create's professional musicians then helped them to turn their poetry into song and create music to accompany their words.
The charity has been working with members of the centre since 2003 when Create was founded.
This year, Sylvester Lewis, 53, took part in the project for the fourth time.
He said: "Create is important to Deptford Churches Centre as it's a lifeline for people who want a ladder out of their depression.
"If you look at where I was when I met them three years ago, I was in a lot of pain.
"I was homeless at the time, but I always looked forward to coming to Create."
Mr Lewis, who now lives in a flat, says putting words down on paper can be very therapeutic.
He said: "When you mix with professionals, some of it is bound to rub off and what's rubbed off on me is the confidence.
"That's what homeless people need, really. These workshops have reached parts of me no-one else could reach."
An anthology of participants' poetry has been produced by Create and is available from Vicki Young on 020 7374 8485.
For details on the Deptford Churches Centre activities for homeless and vulnerable people in Lewisham, call 020 8692 6548.
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