Last month saw the return of the Inspired Surfers Podcast, presented By Jimmy’s, with the first episode of season two featuring Nick Pumphrey and Mike Guest discussing their Dawn Days project. Catch up here and subscribe today where ever you get your podcasts.
Today, we’re back with episode two, featuring a conversation with Hannah Green, a surfer from Scarborough, whose been on an incredible journey.
With its cold brown water and industrial backdrop, Scarborough is a long way from the classic surfing idyll. Thankfully though, it was just inviting enough for Hannah. Photo: Greg Martin
After suffering multiple incidents of sexual abuse and trauma throughout her early life, Hannah was left homeless and battling debilitating PTSD. For over a year she bounced between hostels and temporary accommodation, with the chaos of the surroundings, a police investigation into her childhood and an increasing reliance on drink and drugs all contributing to the further deterioration of her mental health.
Then, one day a charity introduced her to surfing. In this conversation with Jim, Hannah describes how this intervention, as well as various others from friends and charities, eventually helped her find a home and get her life back on track.
Since then, she’s written and released a series of articles and a book about her experiences, entitled My Journey Home and taken up the role of Lived Experience Specialist at the Centre For Homeless Impact.
Listen below or wherever you get your podcasts and subscribe now to ensure you never miss an episode:
In the latest edition of our print magazine, author Lily Plume explores Hannah’s story in-depth, accessing the transformative impacts of surf therapy through the dual lenses of scientific research and lived experience. Get your copy here.
Episode summary:
- Hannah’s introduction to surfing.
- How her childhood trauma led her to become homeless.
- Day to day life in a youth homeless hostel.
- Using drugs and alcohol as an escape from the chaos.
- Being moved at a moment’s notice into a notorious block of flats.
- Coming to blows with other residents after reaching her wit’s end.
- Going back to sofa surfing in a friend’s temporary accommodation and getting sober.
- Enrolling in a surf therapy course.
- Finding a sense of calm in the sea.
- Becoming a volunteer mentor at the Wave Project, making friends and giving back.
- Finding a flat of her own.
- Becoming a journalist and writing a book in lockdown.
- Taking a job at the Centre For Homeless Impact as a Lived Experience Specialist.
- Getting a converted van and setting off around the country with her board to promote the book.
- Hannah’s plans for the future.
If you enjoyed this episode you can find more conversations on our Wavelength Community Radio channel.
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