Lockdown photos by homeless people shown in exhibition

An exhibition of photographs taken by homeless people during lockdown has opened in the churchyard at St Martin-in-the-Fields.

Carly, Darren Fairbrass, Kelly Francis, Craig, Joe Pengelly and Andre were each paid a London Living Wage to capture the capital’s empty streets.

The project was run and paid for by Dan Barker and Lucy Wood, to help out people sleeping rough when other ways of getting by disappeared.

Joe Pengelly, another of the photographers, said: “Living in a hostel where I don’t have a permanent tenancy has been stressful. I have hardly any financial support so am having to beg. I work selling magazines normally, but the magazine has been shut down.

“Taking photos has been interesting, confusing, inspiring, therapeutic and empowering because I am finally able to do something worthwhile for cash.

“In all, it’s made me feel like I am living rather than just existing, and I am trusted with cash.”

The exhibition is in memory of Kelly Francis, one of the photographers, who died during the project.

Pics: Two of the photographs taken by homeless people for the exhibition