Viv
My name is Viv Askeland but everyone calls me Viv. I am 54 years old and originally come from Norway. I have lived in London since 1975 and in that time have lived in Notting Hill Gate, Harlsden, Ealing, Putney, Camden, Holborn, New Cross, Greenwich to name a few places!
I became homeless 10 years ago after a relationship broke up. I ended up having to leave where I was living at the time and began sleeping on people’s sofas- what homeless people call ‘sofa surfing’. I have been in this position on and off for the last 10 years.
I am really enjoying being involved with the walking tours and especially researching the history of the area for the Covent Garden walk. I am looking forward to meeting everyone on the walking tours and telling them about the fascinating facts I have found out about the area!
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Aug 04, 2012 @ 15:31:07
This is amazing…you are really bring the lost to the future…it is best thing that you are doing. The people we see all the way are the only friends that we have and always we should to make a better way to help a living move to the right track. Am really inspired by the story and this has got something to do with the future of everyone of us.
Nov 29, 2012 @ 15:21:01
Hi Viv, thanks again for the walking tour this week!! Everybody really liked it!! Bw Felix
Feb 04, 2013 @ 14:29:59
I bought tickets for Viv’s walk as a Xmas present for my parents – what a great present, especially as I got to enjoy it to! I can highly recommend Viv’s walk – she’s full of fascinating facts about London, which she peppers with lovely stories (my favourite is the one about the Savoy Hotel’s dinner party cat). On top of all this she gives her walkers an insight into the life of the London street homeless community. All tales, both of historical London and recent homelessness, were told with lightness & humour, making her descriptions of street life even more powerful. Go & enjoy!