Rough Edges

On Wednesday 12 of June, Paul Bramble who works as an urban guide for Rough Edges in Darlinghurst came into SWP to talk to Year 11 about his lived experiences of homelessness: he detailed early childhood memories from foster care, onto his troubled teenage years, through to his time living in psychiatric facilities, on the streets, and in spite of this, his remarkable turnaround to his proud life today.

In many ways, our cohort went through the journey with Paul. He presented and spoke in a tone with relatability, enforcing such shocking insight, and vulnerability, causing particular empathy. These tied to his messages underpinning his story: in his words, what matters is how you deal with curveballs, and you must always conduct yourself with empathy. A particularly poignant slide depicted his psychiatric equipment, including a walking stick, medication and leg sleeves, yet amongst these lay a cheap second-hand camera, with which as a coping mechanism, as he would derive enormous pleasure taking simple snaps of trees (harshly critiqued!), finding beauty in a world that had treated him so harshly. Of course, the significance of this is so poignant given he also works as a professional photographer.

On reflection, Paul’s authenticity was immediately established prior to his speech, as he eagerly downloaded a mental health app, an ad for which was displayed on the Cranbrook guest bathrooms, readying himself for the next curveball, and showing empathy for himself and others. Paul clearly lives and breathes what he presents.

Felix Malcolm
Year 11 Student