How can I help homeless people on the street?

tibbles209

I've been doing my Christmas shopping recently, and I keep seeing poor homeless people sitting in the snow shivering I desperately want to do something to help but I don't know what. I'm reluctant to give them cash as many of them have found themselves in that situation as they have a dependance on drugs or alcohol and if I give them cash I would just be helping them fund this. However giving things like hot drinks and blankets just seems completely inadequate - they'll still be sitting in the street cold and alone once they've finished their coffee.
I just feel very helpless, seeing these people in such an awful situation but not really being able to do anything to help. Does anyone have any ideas about anything that might genuinely help? I know this isn't really money-saving, but MSE is a lovely community and I thought you might be able to give me some ideas!

HappyMJ

Then give to a charity that helps them. As you say if you give it to them directly it will end up being spent on booze or ciggies and not on training or even on rent.

How about Shelter? http://england.shelter.org.uk/what_you_can_do/christmas?source=hpBanner

d123

If you are like another [STRIKE]clueless[/STRIKE] naive poster, you could invite them home, let them use your toilet and have a bath

Or you could just get them some hot food (like a cooked chicken), some bread rolls and perhaps an energy drink and a hot drink. Being out in the weather might seem a bit more palatable with some hot food inside them.

squif33

Give some money to your local homeless shelter, the government is taking away all their funding, our local one is at risk of closure

Plans_all_plans

You could buy them things like gloves, hats, coats, socks etc to keep warm, as well as food.

I too do not like giving them actual money for the reasons you state. Although clothes and food won't get them off the street, you might be the only person that day who's bothered to stop with them, find out their name, talk to them and treat them like a human being. I dont think it's necessarily all about what you can buy them to help, just interacting with them like you would anyone else is probably as important.

You could also find out where the local homeless shelters/day centres/NHS walk in clinics are located in your area. Then you could ask them whether they know of those places when you talk to them.

What I have done in the past is ring up homeless charities in my area to ask whether they're aware of people sleeping in a certain place etc so that they can send outreach workers out if not. One time I rang up and they knew of the man I'd seen but they weren't aware he'd lost his shoes since the last time a worker had been out, so they said they'd send someone out with some for him.

Also donate money to your local homeless organisation.

crystaltipps

I gave a some money to a homeless guy last week - thinking it would probably go to something undesirable (but it was freezing!). Then about 10 minutes later I saw him coming out of a Macdonalds with hot food and a coffee. Made me feel better about it (and less judgmental).

My sister lives in the city though and has a slightly harder approach. She has been known to ask to see their arms for tracks before she coughs up any cash!

It is hard at the moment to walk past.

Alison_B

I usually buy them something hot to eat and drink. I won't give cash but if they sell The Big Issue, then I usually give for that (plus a little extra).

kerri_gt

Also speak to your local Salvation Army as they may have something set up where you could help volunteer (soup runs etc) - sadly it seems that a lot of these have been stopped as councils deem that they 'encourage people to stay on the streets'....I assume that none of these council members has ever tried sleeping outside in weather like this - or any weather. I remember seeing one programme looking at the issue of homelessness and one person said they turned to drink to help them sleep because (no matter what weather) it's extremely frightening to sleep rough.

Gosh, you've really made me think, we're all so busy spending on extravagent (or not so extravagent) gifts, and thinking about sparkly decorations, twinkly lights and turkey that it's easy to forget that some people really aren't so fortunate.

paddedjohn

I used to think it was their own fault for being on the streets because they were drunks or druggies. I would buy hot food for them but never give cash as i thought it would be spent unwisely. That was until a couple of years ago when i got involved with a local shelter and my eyes were opened. A lot of the people on the streets dont start off being drunks/druggies, they turn to it as an escape from the crap life they are living. It could happen to any one of us, one day living a nice cushy life with the wife and kids in a 3 up 3 down with a nice car and a good job when bang, redundancy, money troubles, wife kicks you out, its a fast downward spiral. I have seen all ages, both men and woman, from teens upto 70's who need help, not judging, so if you can spare some cash dont be afraid to give. None of us are immune, we are just lucky.

GilbertGradgrind

Other people have made very clear suggestions about financial help. I would suggest something more immediate which is to actually acknowledge their existence as people. Smiling at someone and giving them some respect as a person does have a large effect both on yourself and on others.

Saying "no thank you" to the Big Issue Seller or asking "would you like a cup of coffee" and then going to get them one is a small act of decency. Treating homeless people as worthwhile human beings costs most people more than money.

COOLTRIKERCHICK

I help with donations of clothes, blankets etc for a local group that helps the homeless...

If you would like to help in some way, try and find out your local groups that do the soup run etc... they are dedicated groups, and know EXACTLY what they need, in terms of food clothing etc...

In the begining when i was giving clothes there were alot of branded clothes,, and i got told by the orgainser, that they will either sell those clothes to other homeless people, or get stopped by the police, as they think they had stolen them...

Also by being part of a group of people helping you are not putting yourself ina vunrable sp? position, as it is sooooooooooooooo easy to let your heart rule your head....

Its this time of the year people see and think about the homeless, but dont forget they are on the streets ALL year... not just at christmas... and they need food then too..

But PLEASE...... dont try and do things yourself.. you will get emotionally swomped by it all..... please, please please,,,, before you start, or do anything be part of an organisation.. and they will also give you emotional support with this, it does eat at you...


just want to give you a huge hug for being human... and thinking of other people......