Tent for Homeless man

choccyface2006

What a lovely thoughful thing to do! I actually felt very touched reading this thread.

Sarah

FatVonD

LisaB85 wrote: »

Where the hell are they supposed to sleep? it is like the council deny they exist and think they will drop off the planet if they sweep them away elsewhere..

I'm wondering what'll happen come the Olympics, I have visions of Boris block booking all the out-of-town Travelodges for the duration.

rachbc

I worked with a homeless young person who did in fact live in a tent pitched in a wooded old railway cutting in an urban area - he was a barristers son, thrown out of home aged 16.

I am sure your gesture will be well received and I am reminded to go to the homeless shelter under the church near work and make a christmas donation. Thanks

Padstow

CATS, I can see a mid path between the horrible mockery of that poster, and what you wish to achieve.

Someone who takes on a dog, stands no chance of going to a hostel. So he obviously has no hope or ambition to turn his life around at present. Let's face it though, from the streets to a warm flat is a huge leap.

Please don't spend lots of money on what you listed. He will either sell it on or it'll be stolen. You have no experience of living on the streets, so cannot relate to what he needs.

He also could be a professional beggar. One who travels to the city centre, pockets £200 and goes back to a warm, suburban home. They do exist you know.

My advice is to buy him two silver survival blankets, a total of £7. Get them from a camping shop. Then you have done all you can.
Flooding a poor person with the comparative riches you describe is so patronising, even though your intentions are well meant.

LisaB85

Padstow wrote: »

CATS, I can see a mid path between the horrible mockery of that poster, and what you wish to achieve.

Someone who takes on a dog, stands no chance of going to a hostel. So he obviously has no hope or ambition to turn his life around at present. Let's face it though, from the streets to a warm flat is a huge leap.

Maybe he had a dog before he became homeless? Maybe that dog is all he has left and his only friend?

Fizzpop

Padstow wrote: »

CATS, I can see a mid path between the horrible mockery of that poster, and what you wish to achieve.

Someone who takes on a dog, stands no chance of going to a hostel. So he obviously has no hope or ambition to turn his life around at present. Let's face it though, from the streets to a warm flat is a huge leap.

Have you ever considered the reason they take on a dog is for companionship and warmth too......

Please don't spend lots of money on what you listed. He will either sell it on or it'll be stolen. You have no experience of living on the streets, so cannot relate to what he needs.

Or he may even use it and be extreamly greatful of it,

He also could be a professional beggar. One who travels to the city centre, pockets £200 and goes back to a warm, suburban home. They do exist you know.

My advice is to buy him two silver survival blankets, a total of £7. Get them from a camping shop. Then you have done all you can.
Flooding a poor person with the comparative riches you describe is so patronising, even though your intentions are well meant.

If someone had approached me with a rucksack with things in it to keep me warm i really wouldnt have found it patronising...

What i used to find more patronising was the people who walked past saying.... id give you something but your probably only going to use it on drugs anyway...

pineapple

It's a lovely thought OP but how do you know he is homeless? There are some who just can't hack living in a house. I missed the bus home one night in London and slept out in a church grounds, waking up a few feet away from a lovely guy who even helped me with my cases to Victoria. We exchanged stories. His marriage had bust, his job had gone - he had a flat but couldn't bear to live in it.
Also I once bought some food for someone begging and he threw it back in my face. In fact he was quite nasty and I've been cautious ever since.
Plus there are professional beggers - yes particulary those with dogs on a rope.
http://www.londonupclose.com/annoyances-in-london.html
There are also those who beg during the day and go back to the hostel at night and others who have been offered a hostel but who prefer the street.
I would test the water first with something small beforehand.
Re a tent where are they going to put it up? When you are living on the street you need to curl up somewhere unobtrusive.

Padstow

LisaB85 wrote: »

Maybe he had a dog before he became homeless? Maybe that dog is all he has left and his only friend?

You could well be right Lisa. From the little CATS has told us about her homeless friend, you could well be correct.

RebekahR

Fizzpop wrote: »

Theres nothing wrong with being worried but you can also turn it on its head and they could be just as worried about you approaching them they dont know if your going to attack them for a giggle in front of your mates x

There has to be some trust there x

If you had met me on the streets as a homeless pregnant woman would you have come over and just said hello? x

Yes I thought about them being the same. Homeless pregnant lady - hmmm tbh still probably no. I wouldn't know what to do or say. Tbh I probably wouldn't think you were homeless being pregnant. This thread is a real eye opener ...

gingin_2

Padstow wrote: »

Someone who takes on a dog, stands no chance of going to a hostel. So he obviously has no hope or ambition to turn his life around at present.

Our local, inner city hostel has a number of kennels for the dogs, so not quite true.