A student spent a week sleeping rough on the streets of Aberdeen to find out how difficult life can be for the homeless.
Jonathan Kennard battled the cold weather and rain during his seven-night stay in the lost about 4kg in body weight during the process.
He also suffered paranoia and fatigue while taking part in the challenge.
The 25-year-old hoped to identify the key challenges faced by the homeless community as he prepares to launch his own charity.
Mr Kennard, of Nottingham, has previously slept rough on the streets of Liverpool and Stirling.
After arriving in Aberdeen last Sunday, Mr Kennard built a shelter under a bridge on Riverside Drive using sheets of cardboard.
He said: “People often criticise homeless people for not sorting their lives out without understanding how hard it actually is.
“I only had to feel the cold for a week; homeless people have to feel it year round.”
The student said the difficulties he faced trying to keep clean ended up affecting his self esteem.
And he believes this feeling could affect a homeless person’s ability to perform well at important appointments such as interviews, health or benefits appointments.
He said: “When you’re homeless you never find the perfect place to stay; it’s either too risky, not waterproof enough, or not sheltered from the wind.
“And the lack of sleep caused by the cold, wet, street noise and the paranoia really lowers your mood and makes you too fatigued to do anything.
“I know building a successful charity will take a tremendous amount of discipline which is something this project took.”
Follow Mr Kennard’s charity project using @jonathan.kennard.9 on Instagram.
