This quote makes me feel sick

146 Donald Hall Road, on the outskirts of Whitehawk and where I spent the first ten years of my life

In 2010, the Whitehawk Estate was one of the most deprived areas in the country – in the bottom five per cent nationally. I could quote employment figures, educational attainment statistics and so on but let’s get this down to basics – men on the Estate die on average seven years earlier than their counterparts in the rest of Brighton. The struggle to ensure that our social housing provides not only a roof but a measure of social equity remains.

In 1974 my parents moved into this ground floor flat. When I was living here I don't remember it being horrible. I remember the damp that caused painful eczema, the dingy dark rooms caused by us facing North and the lack of other kids to play with. But I also remember the amount of space around our council flat, the views across the marina from my nan's flat on the 4th floor, sledging in the snow and feeling like it was home. I was no doubt unaware of the struggles of my parents. Until I was born, they thought it would be just me, but despite scans, everyone was unaware I had a twin brother until he popped out. I know now that this changed our lives forever, and mainly for the better.

When I read facts like the ones above, it makes me angry, anger on top of the anger I already feel about inequality, of which there are many. It also makes me feel powerless, like all my projects will not change these inequalities, despite me wanting more than ever for them to make a dent, even if it's a small one.

I wonder what it really feels like to live in Whitehawk now?

Read more about the development of Brighton's Council Estates.