Charles, from homelessness to Toland Square
I’ve lived on Toland Square for the last four years. This came after a very difficult few years, yet living in Toland Square things have been great for me. I’ll explain to you a little about my story:
Several years ago I was working as a designer. I had previously studied a degree in Architecture and Interior Design, but I developed mental health problems. This took me into a downward spiral. Ultimately I had to stop working, I lost everything, I was in hospital many times and lost touch with reality. Ultimately I ended up on the streets homeless. Slowly and gradually I worked my way back to some normality, but this took me firstly to shabby temporary housing in South East London, a long away from my community and support network. I then moved into Roehampton to the Alton Estate, I was there for a several years, again temporary housing awaiting a permanent residence. Things improved but I was still in a difficult position.
Finally I got my permanent residence in Toland Square. It was a modest place, but decent and good. I was safe, I had a roof over my head, a quiet place, good community, peace and amenities. Since that time, now four years ago, I’ve become stable, I’ve gone on to lots of things. I have taken a Master’s degree in Design at Central Saint Martins, one of the worlds finest Arts and Design institutions. I am happy with my life, and having good stable housing is a massive part of this.
This is something that everyone should have, but it comes not only with a roof over your head, but other factors. Firstly knowing you are safe and have your basic safety, economic and biological needs met. Then it takes the nature of the place and the environment to be a particular way. Having space, light, peace and a community.
The design of the estate at Toland Square is in perfect equilibrium; I know this not only from my educational background in architectural design, but from my lived experience. I know what it is like to not have these things and to then have them and I’m very grateful for this. I do not want anyone to be homeless or to live in substandard housing in this society. I feel it is my responsibility to make people aware of this. Toland Square has got this just right; the disruption to this equilibrium will not just negatively impact the current community, but create a poorer place to live for potential new residents.
This is not a legacy we want, we will only generate further problems down the line in the years to come if we don’t plan properly and value what exists and the lives and residents and society at large.
These plans won’t pave the way for dealing with the housing crisis, but create more antisocial behaviour, economic inequality, mental health problems and more, if we don’t create adequate social housing and instead just dump more tightly squeezed tower blocks onto existing spaces. Let’s do this properly.
Cory, one of our younger residents:
‘Where will I play with all of this grass gone?’
Simple and to the point – there will be no green space for kids to play games on, which is devastating for mental and physical wellbeing.
Sapphi, who grew up on these green spaces:
One of our teenage residents who grew up here. Her school had no green spaces and nowhere to play sport, so she found her love of sport by playing on the green spaces within the square and now plays for Surrey County. Hear how the loss of these green spaces would have affected her and would negatively impact children of all ages.
Julia, who has lived here for over 40 years:
I am devastated over the council’s plans to build more housing on our small estate. I have lived here for over 40 years and with more people on the estate there would be additional social problems and overcrowding that would really affect my wellbeing as a person getting on in years.
The loss of our beloved green spaces would have a hugely negative impact on children of all ages; children playing out in small groups, making friends and having fun, would be entirely lost, which is extremely sad.
Zara, a single parent who relied heavily on the green spaces
As a single parent, she didn’t have time or money to take her daughter to local parks, which are a mile away, and too far to walk with a little child. Having the green spaces meant her daughter could run and play while she worked/cooked etc., knowing that other parents and older children were supervising and she could also keep an eye out from her kitchen window and balcony. This would no longer exist for any children.