A Day Without a Home in London - Latymer Upper School 11+
Describe a single day from the perspective of a homeless person who lives in London.
💡 Writing Tips
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- Treat the narrator as a full person with hopes and choices.
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- Follow the day from morning to evening.
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- Use recognisable London sounds and places.
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- Show practical difficulties without making assumptions.
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- Include a small moment of dignity or connection.
📝 Sample Answer
The first buses began to rumble past before six. I folded my blanket and stood beneath the shop awning, waiting for the rain to stop. London was waking up around me: shutters rattled, tyres hissed on wet roads and commuters hurried towards the station without looking up.
I walked to the day centre for a hot drink and somewhere warm to sit. The volunteer at the door greeted me by name. That simple kindness mattered more than she probably realised. I checked my phone while it charged and read a message about an appointment at the housing office. I had been waiting weeks for news.
At lunchtime, I sat on a bench overlooking the river. A little boy dropped his glove, and I called after him. His father thanked me. For a moment, I felt like any other Londoner, part of the crowd rather than outside it.
By late afternoon, my socks were damp and my shoulders ached from carrying my bag. Still, I arrived early for the appointment and filled in the forms as carefully as I could. The adviser could not promise anything, but she arranged another meeting.
When the streetlights flickered on, I tucked the appointment slip safely into my pocket. Tomorrow was uncertain. At least I knew where I needed to go next.
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