A musician who experienced homelessness despite having a job says he was "amazed" after being asked to headline his first major gig.
Tim Blackburn, from Little Lever, performs under the name Mistrust and has spent recent years building a music career while using his songs to raise awareness of homelessness.
The 61-year-old was previously featured in The Bolton News after speaking about the housing difficulties he and his wife faced, which left them staying with relatives for nearly a year.
Now, after starting out at open mic nights and small showcase events, he has been invited to headline a show in Greater Manchester.
Mr Blackburn said: "I was quite surprised when I got the email.
"I'd contacted this promoter in Manchester because they'd been advertising for bands to come and play and support their gigs.
"You never expect to hear back.
"And then completely out of the blue, I got an email saying, 'You're just what we're looking for'.”
Mr Blackburn, who turns 62 in October, said he only began performing live a few years ago despite making electronic music since the 1980s.
He first spoke publicly about his experience of what is often described as "hidden homelessness" in December, when he and his wife were staying with family while searching for a permanent home.
Although their housing situation has now been resolved, Tim says he remains determined to raise awareness of the challenges faced by others in similar circumstances.
His music draws inspiration from synth-pop acts including OMD and The Human League.
Alongside performing, he continues to use his platform to highlight the experiences of people facing homelessness.
He regularly speaks about his own story during live performances and incorporates videos into his stage shows, which explore the issue.
Mr Blackburn said: "I'm not going to shy away from it at all.
"There are still a lot of people around, even people in decent jobs, who are struggling for somewhere to live.
"It's just sharing the message, I think. And if I can raise some sort of money through music downloads and things like that, that's okay.
"It's just giving something back, I guess."
He said some of the most rewarding moments have come from people approaching him after performances to share their own experiences.
Mr Blackburn added: "Somebody came up to me and said, 'I was in a similar situation to you'.
"Fortunately, I'm on my feet now. It's just so heartening to find out.
"It's through stories like that that you know you're doing okay."
Mr Blackburn will headline a show at The Eagle Inn in Salford on August 12.
He said he hopes the opportunity will help him continue raising awareness of homelessness through his music.
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