Beyond the Bricks

Home to me isn't just a literal structure, it's a sanctuary of safety and belonging. It’s a haven where I can be anything. Of course, there’s the part of a home that keeps you safe, like the roof which keeps your head dry and the walls that block out the wind. But there’s also the intangible part when I’m with my family, rooms filled with snippets of all our joyful memories, the feeling of belonging, the aromatic smell of noodles, and the hearty laughter that fills up whole rooms. I hear the familiar creak of that one noisy floorboard, cosy up with my well-worn, well-loved teddy bear, and instantly I feel like I’m home. Even though home isn’t perfect, isn’t immaculate, it’s home. Home is like a place where I feel like I can finally breathe and, after a long day, relax and rewind. The outside world can feel rushed and loud, but the moment I turn the lock and step inside my home, the noise instantly quiets away. I know that for many, this might not be the case, and that the ‘noise’ of housing insecurity never stops. I think that having a house is a baseline, not something we have to work up to or worry about. Home is the quiet space where I prepare for tomorrow. I think it’s a basic human right that gives us all the strength to succeed.