homeless people

[Tin Pot]

If you want to play the wannabe social worker that's fine by me.

That's that settled then.

 

[raleighnut]

Then of course there are the other 'homeless' the ones who are kipping in mates spare rooms or on their sofas, they don't appear on anyone's statistics.

 

[Starchivore]

God I hate political gaming nonsense.

The 'claim'/fact that "...the employment rate remains at a record high with more than 31.8 million men and women in work,” is NOT punctured by the claim that there are ~80 thousand working homeless.

The point the writer was making was about politicians lauding the employment figures and implying that if someone has a job they will be absolutely fine, which we can see isn't the case.

There was a woman mentioned in the article, living in a shelter, who had been working at a shop on the high street for about two years- but was still on a temporary agency contract with no fixed hours or guarantee of work. She isn't unemployed but what chance does she have to build foundations with that job.

 

[srw]

This weeks Private Eye. That last statistic - twice as much has been spent on (usually insanitary and inadequate) temporary housing as on permanent homes - is something that should make every taxpayer stop and think before they cast their next vote.

 

[Tin Pot]

The point the writer was making was about politicians lauding the employment figures and implying that if someone has a job they will be absolutely fine, which we can see isn't the case.

Which I agree with. The point you and I quoted, I do not.

 

[jefmcg]

This thread makes me sad. Back to the specifics of the original posting, it's a guy "keeled over" in the street. Do we really have to examine his life choices or government policy before finding out if he's just asleep, passed out, in a coma, dying or dead? It's not hard to do all that society requires of you in this case. Talk to him, touch him if he doesn't respond. If you can rouse him, ask him if he's ok. If he says yes, you can walk away. If he says no, or doesn't wake up or answer, then take your phone, call 999/112, ask for the ambulance and tell them what you are seeing. It's not complicated, you aren't required to be a social worker, you just have to show the tiniest morsel of human feeling and 5 minutes of your time. No, you aren't going to solve all his problems, he might be back there tomorrow but at least you may have stopped him dying alone and cold on a tow path today.

 

[S-Express]

If you want to play the wannabe social worker that's fine by me.

I was going to reply directly to this point, but @jefmcg has pretty much nailed it, above.

 

[screenman]

When you were homeless, what would you have appreciated more than anything from strangers.

I don't mean obvious stuff, like somewhere to live in safety but small things.

What would help you through the day?

What could someone like me do to help in some way?

Wow! not sure as it was a long time ago, we were 17 and 18 at the time and living with my parents, at 11pm she decided that she wanted us out of the house there and then, no going back to pick anything up. The police station contacted housing and they suggested we spend the rest of night in the car (no mot) it was a breaker I was given. The next day we were offered a room in a large house by social/housing, the room was interestingly decorated as the previous tenants had decided to sxxt on the floor and spread it on the walls and ceiling, along with nicking all the furniture. We accepted the room after turing it down three times in the same day, needs must. It was in effect a hostel, one bath shared between 8 familes, unfortunately some kind sole had smashed it with a hammer, so hold water it did not.

So although I state that I was homeless and that it is something I feel can happen to many people we were not without a roof for long.

Did I tell you about the family in the next room mum and dad with 5 kids, when they misbehved he poured hot water on them, we did fall out with them quite quickly.

So sorry to ramble but, I had everything I needed a loving wife an adorable son, and a job which unfortunately put me £1 above getting any help to set up home. The guy in the other room recieved carpet, cooker, bedding etc allowances, this was the third time they had been made homeless, I hope a to this day that those poor kids survived and propered.

If the only thing you can give a homeless person is a smile and a word then that is miles better than turning your back on them.

Where I slightly disagree with Drago and I respect the guy, I am not sure alcoholics/druggies choose to be so, they just do not have the ability to stay clean.

 

[jonny jeez]

Wow! not sure as it was a long time ago, we were 17 and 18 at the time and living with my parents, at 11pm she decided that she wanted us out of the house there and then, no going back to pick anything up. The police station contacted housing and they suggested we spend the rest of night in the car (no mot) it was a breaker I was given. The next day we were offered a room in a large house by social/housing, the room was interestingly decorated as the previous tenants had decided to sxxt on the floor and spread it on the walls and ceiling, along with nicking all the furniture. We accepted the room after turing it down three times in the same day, needs must. It was in effect a hostel, one bath shared between 8 familes, unfortunately some kind sole had smashed it with a hammer, so hold water it did not.

So although I state that I was homeless and that it is something I feel can happen to many people we were not without a roof for long.

Did I tell you about the family in the next room mum and dad with 5 kids, when they misbehved he poured hot water on them, we did fall out with them quite quickly.

So sorry to ramble but, I had everything I needed a loving wife an adorable son, and a job which unfortunately put me £1 above getting any help to set up home. The guy in the other room recieved carpet, cooker, bedding etc allowances, this was the third time they had been made homeless, I hope a to this day that those poor kids survived and propered.

If the only thing you can give a homeless person is a smile and a word then that is miles better than turning your back on them.

Where I slightly disagree with Drago and I respect the guy, I am not sure alcoholics/druggies choose to be so, they just do not have the ability to stay clean.

Thanks for sharing that.