Tracey poses in front of a mural depicting the wings of an eagle at Friars Walk shopping centre in Newport(Image: Kamila Jarczak for the Royal Foundation's Homewards project)

‘I was using heroin at 15 and ended up homeless - now I’m turning my life around’

by · Wales Online

Tracey poses in front of a mural depicting the wings of an eagle and spreads her arms wide as Kamila Jarczak takes the crisp shot. The pair have deliberately selected the colourful spot at Friars Walk in Newport for the picture which is now part of an exhibition celebrating the city’s homeless women.

The collection of photographs of six women who experienced homelessness in and around the city, which is the worst for homelessness in Wales, have been celebrated by Prince William’s Homewards project as a sign of hope for those who have fallen on hard times.

After a traumatic childhood Tracey became addicted to drugs and then ended up on the streets for 10 years. Now living independently with her children and working full-time, she says she’s proud of her transformation.

“People are often overlooked when they’re homeless,” photographer Kamila says. “There’s a stigma around it - particularly for women. There is also a lot of exploitation of women who end up homeless.

“What stands out from the pictures, to me, is that recovery is possible. We wanted to keep the pictures positive and cheerful because it is aimed at inspiring people and particularly women who have found themselves in that position, as many have.”

According to data published by the Welsh Government, over the past year the number of households assessed as homeless in Wales has risen by 8% from the previous year to 13,539. Just 26% of these people managed to secure accommodation, which is slightly lower than in recent years.

And Newport is affected the most of any city in the country. The city’s homelessness rate has increased by more than 50% in a year to 1,359 households. In the latest recorded data 534 households lived in temporary accommodation in Newport while the council’s housing waiting list, like other councils across the country, is thousands long.

Newport has been chosen by the Royal Foundation as one of six flagship locations across the UK that will work with the Royal Foundation’s Homewards programme to end homelessness. Prince William visited Newport again last week as part of the Homewards project to meet the women pictured in the exhibition.

Recalling when the Royal Foundation approached her to take the pictures Kamila says she was “delighted” because there had never been a more important time to do it. “One of the women - Alison - said when she was homeless what helped her was seeing women who’d recovered and were living a better life. While she was still struggling with her own demons such as addiction, meeting other women who were also like her and who had turned their lives around was so important for her.

“The whole experience has been very enlightening and empowering, for all of us I hope. What it has done is change my perception about a lot of things. Not just about homelessness, but about the expression of individuality.

“Tracey was on the streets for 10 years altogether and experienced addiction and yet she is so positive and energetic. She wants to spread her wings and she is. She was so inspiring. It gives you strength to deal with your own problems and sometimes can put things into perspective a little bit. These women have been so strong. They are survivors.”

Asked what she was looking for when she peered through the viewfinder and took the picture, Kamila says: “Happy, cheerful, colourful. It isn’t about covering anything up or hiding what’s happened to them. It’s about showing what has happened to them and telling their stories, but also saying: ‘You can come out the other side.’”

Tracey’s early life was marked by trauma, including growing up with an alcoholic father and being introduced to heroin at the age of 15. Despite years of struggle with addiction, homelessness, and abusive relationships, Tracey found the strength to rebuild her life after the death of her partner and a series of personal tragedies. After several attempts to regain stability, she found support through the methadone programme and managed to regain custody of her children. Now living independently with her children and working full-time, Tracey is incredibly proud of her transformation and advocates for the importance of empathy and support for those facing addiction and homelessness.(Image: Kamila Jarczak for the Royal Foundation Homewards project)
Alison’s journey from childhood trauma and years of addiction to recovery is one of resilience and transformation. After a difficult upbringing in foster care and battling heroin addiction on the streets, she entered Hope House Rehabilitation Centre, where faith and support helped her heal and reclaim her life. Today, she is a teacher and foster parent, dedicated to helping others find hope and purpose, inspired by the love and support that helped her rebuild her own life.(Image: Kamila Jarczak for the Royal Foundation Homewards project)
Chelsie’s life took a dramatic turn after the loss of her mother in 2021, an event that sent her spiralling into grief, addiction, and homelessness. Once a promising oper­­­a singer with big dreams, she battled mental health challenges, including suicidal thoughts, and overcame years of trauma, including childhood abuse. Through therapy, the support of her family, and her own resilience, Chelsie has begun rebuilding her life. Today, she continues to pursue her opera career, is involved in empowering others, and dreams of starting a charity to support survivors of domestic abuse. She is a strong advocate for mental health and believes in the power of sharing one's story to inspire others.(Image: Kamila Jarczak for the Royal Foundation Homewards project)