Behind every statistic is
a story waiting to be told.
These are the stories of people facing homelessness in the UK today.
More Than One Story is a series of nine monologue films exploring the multiple realities of homelessness. More people than ever are facing homelessness in the UK today. With core homelessness rates projected to be 20% higher in 2024 than 2020, hundreds of thousands of people across the country have no place to call home. Each of their stories is different.
A co-production with Black Apron Entertainment and in partnership with the Big Issue, More Than One Story aims to shine a light on the diverse intersectional factors that cause and exacerbate homelessness.
By sharing narratives about the different forms of homelessness from sofa surfing, overcrowded living and temporary accommodation and the experiences of queer, Black and migrant communities, these stories aim to amplify voices often overshadowed by the statistics.
Written and performed by 18 artists and Cardboard Citizens Members, each with their own lived experience of homelessness, poverty or inequity and filmed at London’s Hoxton Hall.
Cardboard Citizens has been creating life-affirming theatre with people experiencing homelessness, poverty or inequity for over 30 years. Find out more about our work here.
An introduction
from Kate Winslet.
Kate has been a proud Ambassador of Cardboard Citizens for nearly 20 years.
“More Than One Story aims to disrupt the stereotypes and misconceptions around homelessness as rising numbers of people are unseen and overlooked. These stories are distinctly theatrical and highlight the continued importance of where Cardboard Citizens sit within the theatre’s unique power to tell nuanced stories in a way that is deeply affecting, whilst as ever offering a safe space for people affected by homelessness so that they may share their truth with dignity.”
Watch Now
This is What It Means
by Chris Sonnex
5 September
Snakes and Landlords
by Debbie Hannan
29 August
No Walls, Still Trapped
by Errol McGlashan
22 August
And For Once, I just Let It Be Nice
by Charlie Josephine
15 August
The Surviving Room
by Neetu Singh
8 August
Boiling Frogs
by Kayleigh Llewellyn
1 August
Ozwald Boateng, if you Must
by Roy Williams
25 July
Sabbir at the Estate Agents
by Sonali Bhattacharyya
18 July
Sandwiches
by Naomi Westerman
11 July
Trailer
by Cardboard Citizens
8 July
Homelessness is more than just rough sleeping.
It can be defined as not having permanent shelter, or having no settled place of refuge giving way to poverty and risk to survival.
OVER 100,000 UK HOUSEHOLDS CURRENTLY LIVE IN UNSUITABLE ACCOMODATION, THAT’S A LARGER POPULATION THAN BRIXTON, CAMDEN, NOTTING HILL, AND HACKNEY COMBINED.
Unsuitable accommodation refers to living conditions that are unsafe or unsanitary and includes overcrowded living, lack of basic amenities, mould, or hazardous conditions
Homelessness encompasses a broader range of difficulties faced by individuals without stable housing. High rents, evictions, and the cost-of-living crisis are accelerating the number of families becoming homeless.
242,000
households in the UK are experiencing the most severe forms of homelessness, including sleeping rough, living in cars, squats, tents, and other makeshift shelters, sofa surfing, and residing in temporary accommodation.
70%
of Brits don’t consider unsuitable accommodation as homelessness.
145,000
children are growing up in temporary accommodation.
1 in 5
people in the UK live in poverty. That’s 14 million people struggling to meet their most basic needs.
Play your part
Join Big Issue's movement, Big Futures, to break the poverty cycle. Supported by a network of digital activists, journalists, and ambassadors, Big Futures is advocating for change, with backing in the House of Lords by Big Issue’s founder, Lord Bird.
Learn more about Big Issue’s five poverty prevention pillars and read their blueprint for change via the button below.
Crisis help individuals out of homelessness and campaign for the changes needed to solve it altogether. Homelessness is not inevitable. With collective action and political will, it can be ended once and for all. However, Crisis knows they cannot do it alone. They collaborate with people who have lived experience of homelessness, along with thousands of Crisis campaigners, allies, and politicians to achieve the lasting change needed to end homelessness. Take action now to end homelessness for good.
HELP TO CHANGE PEOPLE'S LIVES WITH CARDBOARD CITIZENS
Join the mailing list
Stay informed and up-to-date with what’s going on at Cardboard Citizens by signing up to our mailing list.
Support Us
Support our mission to transform the narrative of homelessness through a one-off donation or by signing up to support us regularly. Every penny will go towards helping those who need it most.
Writers + Actors
Sandwiches
By Naomi Westerman
Performed by Oriana White.
Sabbir At The Estate Agents
By Sonali Bhattacharyya
Performed by Mansa Ahmed with Noor Bashir.
Ozwald Boateng, If You Must
By Roy Williams
Performed by David Olapoju.
Boiling Frogs
By Kayleigh Llewellyn
Performed by Natasha Sparkes.
The Surviving Room
By Neetu Singh
Performed by Sonia Singh.
And For Once, I Just Let It Be Nice
By Charlie Josephine
Performed by Noah Silverstone.
No Walls, Still Trapped
By Errol McGlashan
Performed by Michael Quartey.
Snakes and Landlords
By Debbie Hannan
Performed by Yvonne Wickham.
This Is What It Means
By Chris Sonnex
Performed by Shahab Awad together with Community Company.
Production Gallery
Additional Support
Some of the stories that are shared in More Than One Story may feel uncomfortable or difficult to engage with, especially if you have been directly affected by the issues.
Our self-care guide contains information about ways to look after yourself before, during and after watching More Than One Story.
