Former rough sleepers have shared their personal stories to inform an art exhibition marking 25 years of Framework, the East Midlands charity working to end homelessness.
Framework’s 25th Anniversary Art Exhibition opening on 10 October (World Homeless Day) will provide a deeper understanding of the complex challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness.
From trauma to hope to independence brings together paintings, installations, spoken word performance, real life testimonies and a soundscape of noises heard by people experiencing rough sleeping.
Artists Beatrice Giaquinto, Inge Tonge and David ‘Stick Man’ Higgins held a series of art workshops with service users and frontline staff in Nottingham, Lincoln and Mansfield to hear stories of trauma, support and recovery.
Artist Beatrice Giaquinto has created three pieces including one inspired by an archive of 25 years of Framework Annual Reports, which tell the story of the charity and the impact it has made on people’s lives across the region. Another piece ‘Caught and Held’ is a response to the description of Framework being a safety net, having caught people and prevented them from ‘falling through the cracks’.
Beatrice said:
“It has been a tremendous privilege to create this exhibition. As artists, we were inspired by the honesty, resilience, and unique perspectives of the participants. The exhibition is a diverse, creative response to the stories we have heard. This experience has solidified my belief in the humanistic power of creativity and the profound intrinsic value of art as a healing and social change tool.”
Service users past and present have also contributed pieces to a collection of poetry and prose and created artwork for a postcard collection, available to purchase at the exhibition and online.
Lawrence received help from Nottingham Recovery Network, part of Framework, to help get his life back on track after he found himself in a dark place struggling with mental illness and substance use. His recorded testimony is one of seven lived experience stories featured in the exhibition.
Lawrence said:
“I wanted to be part of this exhibition because if my vulnerability in telling my story can help just one person in any way then it is worth doing, that’s the only way we learn.
“This exhibition to me is a beautiful display of vulnerability and truth. It is also a lovely reminder to myself of how far I’ve come on my own journey. It also reminds me to be true to myself and be proud of myself and just take it one day at a time.”
Lisa is a former rough sleeper from Nottingham who has been housed and supported by Framework. Lisa continues to receive support and now volunteers for the charity. Lisa’s recorded testimony and poems feature in the 25th Anniversary Collection.
Lisa said:
“After years of addiction and 8 and a half months of sleeping rough in Nottingham, moving into Framework’s supported accommodation service was a turning point for me. Since then I’ve come a long way, with a long way still to go. I’m so grateful to Framework’s staff for always being there for me, for being my rock.”
‘Breathing Space’ is a performance poem by David ‘Stick Man’ Higgins that reflects on the deeply human power of compassion, connection, and community support. The poem honours the Framework staff that provide hope, dignity and opportunity, offering a place of refuge and a catalyst for personal transformation, creativity, and growth.
David said:
“The poem is an amalgam of people’s truth and experience, witnessing friendship, support, care and trust changing people’s perceptions of each other and releasing creativity. For a few hours, the spaces in the workshops became vibrant and so present.”
‘Transformation’ by artist Inge Tonge is inspired by the art, conversation and unique time which evolved during the art workshops with Framework service users.
At the official opening for invited guests, Framework Chief Executive Claire McGonigle will give a speech, former rough sleeper James will read out his poem and service user Lisa will share her story and what the support of Framework has meant to her.
The exhibition will be open to the public at Southwell Minister (10-20 October) before touring around the region to Lincoln Cathedral (27 October–5 November), St Mary’s Church in Nottingham (17-22 November) and a final stop at the charity music festival Beat The Streets on 31 January.
To find out more, go to www.frameworkha.org/25th-anniversary-exhibitionwww.frameworkha.org/25th-anniversary-exhibition
Images: Lisa & Lawrence, Framework service users, who shared their story for the exhibition
Posted on 07 October 2026
