Tent for Homeless man

ktb

Wow... what a heartwarming thread! There has been quote a bit on the radio about homelessness in the last couple of weeks as I think this time of year brings it to the front of people's minds! The spokesmen from the homeless charities were saying that rather than give money to 'beggars' (many of whom are professional beggars and not in any way homeless) you should give the money to the charities that genuinely feed, help and house those who really need it. They also had stats for the amount of money made begging that is spent on drugs or alcohol :eek: and so I would definitely say give something other than cash. I really hope this homeless person appreciates your efforts CAT... and that it keeps him warm this winter.

Don't know if you are in London but the charities also said that providing the homeless with details from http://www.nosecondnightout.org.uk/ or other homeless charities, would be more beneficial to them than (drug) money!

dollydee

You are very kind, CATS. The world is truly a better place with people like you in it. xx

thistledome

catkins wrote: »

Watching an item on Breakfast tv about the homeless. They say the average life expectancy of a homeless person is 30 years less than someone who is not homeless.

.

Don't know if you saw the same thing as me, but there was a nice-looking, well spoken young man sitting on the street and saying "Merry Xmas" to the people walking past. I usually only get upset at animal stories (sorry, not a people person), but that young chap shouldn't be living on the streets, it was very sad to see.

Have to admit we don't have any beggars in my small town and when I think of the homeless I think of the old tramps that used to hang around Euston Station in the 1960's. There were tons of them!

CATS you're very kind, do let us know what happens.

TanyaJayne_2

18 years ago I lived on the streets for awhile. A local charity provided a day centre for homeless and vulnerably housed people and this charity did so much for me from tea and toast at breakfast and a hot meal at lunch to helping me find longer term accommodation and eventually finding a job.

Now I'm living back in the same area and I run my own successful IT company and for the last 2 years I've been a (unpaid) trustee for this charity helping to run it, volunteering my time and using my professional skills and contacts to help the charity where I can.

Sadly the need for the day centre is just as much now (if not more) than it was then. In the local area we know of 34 people who we class as homeless and there are many others who are vulnerable housed as well. Most days we see well over 50 people use our service.

There have been a lot of issues raised in this thread but I will say a couple of things.

Firstly it's very very touching what CATS has done and I know I'd be so very grateful if someone had done the same for me.

Secondly very singe homeless person has their own story and reason for being where they are and each one is as valid as the next. Yes some may be there through drink and/or drugs but substance misuse is a symptom of an issue not the root cause...many will be there through abuse,mental ill-health, ex forces, marital break-up, joblessness and bankruptcy......a recent study found that the average person is only 2 pay checks away from being evicted!!

Finally if you want to help someone who is homeless there are a number of ways you can make a real difference -

Do what CATS did.

Donate to a shelter or a day centre.

Volunteer for a shelter or day centre - use your skills for their benefit so you could help fund raise, or with admin, or marketing or cooking or by just being a friendly ear.

Find out what your local council is doing about homelessness and if it's not enough tell your local Councillor or MP.

Whatever you do be safe and have a Merry Christmas.

Tanya Jayne
xx

gravitytolls

cherub1965 wrote: »

same here, a guy i know is a drug addict begs in town.

we do a lot for the homeless, mums friend volunteers in one in liverpool. any clothes the men in the family dont need go there. mum buys hats,gloves scarves etc and passes them in.sounds daft but we buy stuff like mugs,they hand soup out and tea.mum goes in charity shops and buys jeans,boots etc. even my son gets all his mates old clothes for the place, they have a huge store room downstairs full of stuff.
they have residential beds, homeless are allowed to stay for a set time but they also feed and clothe others.
what i'm trying to say is homeless people can go to these places for clean clothes and a hot drink so maybe it would be best to donate there instead of to an individual?

It's shameful behaviour, but maybe less shameful than mugging some poor soul or burglary. Many homeless are drug addicts, I wonder how many families desperately struggled before they had to put their own protection first and ask the addict to leave.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2077812/Put-myrrh-step-away-baby-Jesus-.html

Anyhoo, despite the link taking you to a Littlejohn article, if you ignore him, but read the experiences of a wouldbe volunteer trying to help the homeless in such organisations, you can see why they're struggling.

There are a dearth of help available outside highly populated areas, and doorways are often the only option. But as another has said, if we all do a little, the result is a lot.

blue_haddock

geri1965 wrote: »

He'll sell it all for drugs or booze probably - or lose it. You'd be better off buying him a hot drink and asking one of the outreach organisations to speak to him.

Thats exactly what i was thinking too

adea

Originally Posted by geri1965
He'll sell it all for drugs or booze probably - or lose it. You'd be better off buying him a hot drink and asking one of the outreach organisations to speak to him.

blue_haddock wrote: »

Thats exactly what i was thinking
too

This is taken from a song that I quoted some lyrics to on page 5
"This homeless guy asked me for money the other day.
I was about to give it to him and then I thought he was going to use it on drugs or alcohol.
And then I thought, that's what I'm going to use it on.
Why am I judging this poor !!!!!!!.
People love to judge homeless guys. Like if you give them money they're just going to waste it.
Well, he lives in a box, what do you want him to do? Save it up and buy a wall unit?
Take a little run to the store for a throw rug and a CD rack? He's homeless."

grey_lady

I used to volunteer at a homeless day centre - one of things I found out was that often these people would like to talk - just someone to chat to, so they feel heard.

geri1965_2

adea wrote: »

This is taken from a song that I quoted some lyrics to on page 5
"This homeless guy asked me for money the other day.
I was about to give it to him and then I thought he was going to use it on drugs or alcohol.
And then I thought, that's what I'm going to use it on.
Why am I judging this poor !!!!!!!.
People love to judge homeless guys. Like if you give them money they're just going to waste it.
Well, he lives in a box, what do you want him to do? Save it up and buy a wall unit?
Take a little run to the store for a throw rug and a CD rack? He's homeless."

I'd like him to not spend it on the things that are going to kill him.

MissShoes

Well done CATS for doing a generous, thoughtful and human thing. Will be checking back to see if there are any updates.