The DJ explains why there’s no place like home.
| You really do have to think twice because when you’re out on the streets, you’re on your own. |
Award winning artist Sonique put down her shades and went back to school for a day to promote a new homelessness initiative for young people.
The pop star, who has had two number one records, spoke frankly to pupils from her old school, Highgate Wood in North London, about her own experiences of homelessness when she was just 16.
Wearing a snug, designer T-shirt brandishing the logo of the charity Shelter Sonique spoke candidly to us about her views on the subject.
'I now think its something that should be prevented. The only way you can do that is to go out to young people and try and explain something that wasn't explained to me. I'm one of those people who've been affected and I'll just do whatever I can to help.'
Sonique's school visit was to help launch 'Housemate', an educational project from Shelter, the national campaign for homeless people.
The singer and DJ became homeless in 1985 when her mother remarried and moved back to the West Indies. She moved into a YMCA hostel but was soon kicked out for owing rent.
'There was someone at the YMCA who was managing the place at that particular time who was a little hard on me. I owed them rent and he threw me out for that. He just wasn't having it.'
Like other teenagers Sonique was excited by the chance to leave home, but she didn't realise how much responsibility was required to maintain her independence.
Hostel
'You really do have to think twice. Because when you're out there, you're on your own, and usually you've too far to go back to your parents. So you are going through it all by yourself.'
Sonique's spell of homelessness involved her sleeping at the bottom of her friend's bed and in a hostel.
'I was just running around, never secure in any way or form. At the beginning it seemed fun, but then I began to feel lower and lower.'
Shelter says that the pop singer's experience is all too common. Its main aim with this project is to improve awareness on issues surrounding homelessness. Its new project 'Housemate' includes packs for teachers to use in the classroom.
Tessa Hibbert, the charity's project manager, points out that people's impression of a homeless teenager is often a stereotypical one.
'A homeless person is anyone who doesn't have a safe, secure, decent and affordable home. Everyone's seen the image of teenagers sleeping on the street. But there are many more young people who are living on friends' floors or in unsuitable accommodation.'
She has high hopes for the Housemate project.
'It's a guide for teachers to incorporate ideas about housing and homelessness into their lessons. It's trying to get messages across about how young people should plan if they want to leave home.'
Sonique's flying visit to her old school was chaotic but fun for the pupils. Dozens of them were crammed into a small, stuffy portacabin - and waited ages for the chance to welcome her.
Isabella Austin, 15, said: 'I think it's really good that she shows an interest in homeless people. Having someone famous like Sonique here telling us about homelessness is much better than an ordinary person doing it.'
Sonique was a self-confessed rebellious teenager. She says her main aim was to be independent and live life to the full. Her mother's return from the West Indies proved to be a turning point in her life.
Sonique's desire for independence at an early age led initially to misfortune. But luckily for her she was able to turn things round to a positive end and a glittering career as a musician.
And her advice for young homeless people? 'Once you are on the streets it's a very difficult situation to get out of. All I would say is just have faith in yourself, because virtually no-one else will.'
The pop star told us she thought homelessness should be taught alongside sex education in schools. She pointed out that lack of knowledge about both subjects could - in extreme circumstances - kill.
Calls
Shelter gets thousands of calls every year from young people who find themselves homeless every year. Sonique reckons the way forward is prevention rather than cure. Providing education and understanding of issues surrounding homelessness enables young people to make informed decisions and choices.
We were all impressed by Sonique's decency and good motives in giving up time to promote this project. She clearly cares about the plight of young homeless people.
Most of the pupils present may have been there purely for a photocall with a famous pop star, but we reckon she said some really inspiring things. People listened and afterwards they thought about them.
About the team
This article was produced by Gabriella Gay, 15, Camille Noriega, 16 and Abeyna Jones and Tinu Adeniji-Adele, 18. It was published as part of Teen Talk, the Children's Express page in New Nation.
