AbstractsPsychology

Inspired by an action-oriented approach (Pain, 2003, Kesby et al. 2009 & Koshy et al. 2010; ), this study examines the experiences of some of the homeless youth in Copenhagen. After a long process of establishing contact with organisations, caretakers and volunteers within homelessness system the opportunity presented itself to conduct a workshop at a shelter. This workshop revolved around the residents’ use and experience of the city and was based on a mapping exercise and accompanying interviews with the participants. An in-depth interview with a former homeless person was also included as supplementary empirical data. The data was analysed with focus on experiences of public and private spaces and the city in general with theoretical inspiration from Don Mitchell, Sue Ruddick and David Harvey. The study finds that there is a general feeling of exclusion and lack of a private spaces for the interviewed. This leads to the proposal for a conception of a right to feel included in public spaces that can be developed further. Additionally, Three suggestions as how to better help homeless youth, founded on the in-depth interview, can be drawn from the analysis.