Sharon Thompson’s story begins with her experience as a homeless teenager, which has shaped her drive and determination to bring about social change. In 2010, Sharon made a conscious decision to change her life in a decade. Since drawing up a life plan, Sharon has received numerous national awards for her contributions to social change and politics. She has held senior leadership positions and served as a magistrate, and since 2014, has been an elected councillor for the City of Birmingham.
In June 2024, Sharon was appointed Deputy Mayor of the West Midlands Combined Authority. She is the first woman to hold the post and whilst supporting the Mayor, she primarily focuses on the skills agenda.
“I was only 16,” she remembers, “I had just finished my GCSEs and was about to start college.
“It was pretty much a family breakdown. Home wasn’t an option for me at that point – it just wasn’t.
“I didn’t have anywhere else to go so I stayed with my friend who was living in a flat.
“It was this little three-bed flat in Bordesley Green and living there was her, her partner, her brother, her two little boys and her new baby. And me.
“That was obviously very temporary because her family had needs.”
Recalling the one night she was forced to sleep rough, Sharon remembers walking around Paradise Forum, too scared to sleep.
“It’s cold and it’s frightening,” she says, “I was unnerved and spent the whole night feeling alone and isolated.”
Sharon sought help from advice centre The Link who referred her to St Basil’s, where she was given accommodation and a support programme offering practical help with life skills from budgeting to careers guidance.
“Everybody’s journey is different,” she says.
“There was a girl who was there at the same time as me and I’ve seen her selling the Big Issue now. That could have been me.”
Instead, Sharon is a now a Labour councillor and since 2009 she has been a serving magistrate, sitting in court up to twice each month.
On November 28 she will relive her rough sleeping experience from a very different perspective, joining the Lord Mayor for St Basil’s annual fundraising event, the Big Sleep Out.
She says: “I recently went back and spoke at the launch of St Basil’s Youth Council. I didn’t tell them I was an ex-resident so they just thought I was a visiting councillor until I told them ‘I lived in exactly the same place you did’.
“While I was there I saw someone who was my key worker so many years ago, Shanti.“Key workers like Shanti didn’t just come in and do their nine-to-five.
“They were people you could look up to. They gave you direction and it was so personal.
“I remember her being frank, no-nonsense and straight-to-the-point, saying ‘You need to fix up’.
“I wasn’t a model resident – I really wasn’t. I wasn’t the one who towed the line and never broke a rule.
“But Shanti saw me and said ‘This is your life. You can make something of it if you want to. The option to take is ‘Yes’’.
“That, for me, was a turning point. I realised that if people were willing to invest in my life I should do the same.”
Sharon started volunteering before securing a job with a housing association. She built her way up to now become a Councillor for Birmingham City Council, and Deputy Mayor of the West Midlands Combined Authority. Sharon continues to support St Basils by raising awareness as part of her role, and taking part in St Basils events.
Excerpts taken from Birmingham Mail and Sharon Thompson