Donated guitars strike a chord with London's homeless population

During the dark frigid days of last winter, Sean Horrell met a man living in a tent near the Thames River. 

That in itself isn't unusual for Horrell. As the outreach co-ordinator for the group 519 Pursuit, he hands out lunchtime meals to people who sleep rough in tents and makeshift shelters. 

But Horrell learned this man and his female partner shared a love of music. 

"It had been a near decade since he'd played the guitar, but he used to be in a band," said Horrell. 

Days earlier Horrell had been given a guitar by an acquaintance, also a musician, who had an extra guitar he wanted to donate to someone living on the streets. 

Horrell gave the donated guitar to his friend in the tent. He said it's made all the difference to the couple, who were both suffering from extreme stress.

"Him being able to play music helped soothe and focus their relationship and create a health common ground, a safe space, a healing space," he said. 

A guitar player himself, Horrell knew that repeating the donation would have an immense effect. 

"I know the value of creating and playing when things are tough," he said. "Music can save lives, it's saved mine.

"The ability to play music gives you a focus. It can give you something to focus on that can heal you."

Last summer 519 Pursuit, which provides friendship, food and support for people on the streets, asked for guitar donations through its social media channels. 

"We got two guitars right away," said Horrell. 

Since last winter a total of five guitars have been donated. 

In one case, a guitar was given to a man who was living outside and going through painful withdrawal symptoms while trying to kick a drug habit, Horrell said.