By Diane Wailes
Photography by Megan Ramsey
When Earl John Charlton says in his Facebook profile that he “Studied at the University of Hard Knocks”, he really isn’t kidding! After growing up in care homes and foster homes in the North East, Earl hitchhiked down to London in 1992 as a teenager. Living without any support, things quickly spiralled out of control, into a life of drug addiction, crime and a spell in prison. Sixteen years living as a rough sleeper on the streets of London took their toll. But thankfully that wasn’t the end of Earl’s story.
Fast forward to 2024 and Earl is settled back in the North East, living in North Shields, healthy, happy and employed as a support worker helping young people. His life is the inspiration for the recently released film, ‘Someone’s Daughter, Someone’s Son’, which tells the story of his lived experience on the streets – if you haven’t seen it yet, you really should. And he is brimming with ideas and a passion to tackle the problem of homelessness. Spend an hour in his company and you come away feeling that if anyone can make a difference, Earl can!
So ‘I Love North Shields’ was keen to talk to Earl, to find out more about his life and his plans for the future.
You’ve just spent several weeks dashing around the UK promoting ‘Someone’s Daughter, Someone’s Son’. How has that been?
It’s been crazy! We had 3 sell-out premières in Newcastle then it was off to Glasgow, Birmingham and London to promote the film at launch events. We’ve had amazing support from some incredible people.
Steve Coogan helped out at one of the Q&A sessions and Bryan Adams, who wrote the title track, came along to the London launch. Someone told me afterwards that Bryan was actually nervous about meeting me, when it should have been the other way around!
What’s the reaction been to the film?
Incredible! I’ve been blown away by how people have reacted and how the film is getting people talking about homelessness and wanting to do something about it.
What can we as individuals do to help people who, for whatever reason, find themselves homeless?
The most important thing is to treat people as human beings. It’s very hard to be on the streets and feel like you’re invisible. It doesn’t cost anything to acknowledge a homeless person and say a few words to them, but it makes a big difference to how they feel. I sold the Big Issue for many years, so buy a copy if you can. It would also be great if people could support our campaign by using this link to write to their MP to lobby for policies that will help end homelessness: someonesdaughterfilm.org/takeaction
How do you see your future now and what are your ambitions?
I’ve got lots of plans. I’m hoping to set up a local charity – a hub where people who are homeless or struggling can get all the help and advice they need under one roof. I’m talking to local businesses and charities who are interested in supporting the idea. Eventually, I’d love to set up a recovery centre for addicts, to give people the long term support they need to stay clean.
[tds_partial_locker tds_locker_id=”100″]What was your personal turning point?
It was a businessman called John Morris who helped me start to turn my life around. I was sitting outside Farringdon station in London and he stopped to talk to me. He didn’t know me but he took time every few days to have a chat and to treat me as a person whose life mattered. He’d had a problem with alcohol himself so maybe that was why he made time for me. That was a turning point in my life. Without the help of that stranger, I 100% wouldn’t be here today.
What are you most proud of in your life?
I’m proud every day to be able to say that today is a clean day! I’ve been clean from heroin and crack since 10am on 29th March 2016 and it’s just over 6 years since I last took methadone. Looking back at where I was then and where I am now, I know that I’m very lucky to be alive and I’m proud to say that recovery is possible.
What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned in your life?
Never judge a book by its cover. Always read the book first. Everyone has their own story and you need to get to know the person first.
What do you like best about living in North Shields?
The people and the sense of community, and the fact that people here have really welcomed me. The music scene is also great. In fact, for a small town it’s amazing!
I feel settled here now with my girlfriend Abby, who is everything to me. When I look back to where I was eight years ago, I feel like a very lucky man. I couldn’t have dreamed I’d be with someone as beautiful as her and my life here feels whole.
What are your thoughts on this newspaper?
It’s a really good idea! There’s so much going on in the town and people need to hear about what’s happening. Hopefully, it can also help to advertise local businesses and shops, and bring more people into the town centre.
What would you like to see happening for the North Shields’ 800th birthday celebrations next year?
I’d like to see the Fish Quay packed with people and everyone together, enjoying themselves. I’ve also heard about an idea to create an open-air amphitheatre near the Fish Quay car park, like the one they’ve got at South Shields Custom House. That would be brilliant as an extra venue for live music.
Finally, what’s your favourite place in North Shields?
Definitely the Fish Quay, which is where I live. I wake up every morning, and look out over the river – it’s the best view in the world!
