homeless people

[fossyant]

In the Cafe now !

 

[Racing roadkill]

I know in the city centres there are scores of these guys....but i commute down a canal towpath. The guy was there this morning sat upright gripping a can of strongbow and on my way home at 6pm sat in exactly the same spot but sort of keeled over with head between his knees. I guess in the city there are police who may check that they are still alive but where he was sat he may not get passed for hours on end overnight. What do you do? ignore it or ask him if hes alright and if no response try and get him some help. He might be an agressive drunk as well. I have seen the odd other drunk in this state and one time there was a st johns ambulance trying to get down to some guy flat out on his back that i had also seen at 8am drinking. I guess someone bad called for help. I wouldnt normally approach a drunk to check their wellbeing but its so cold that you would imagine it could finish him off.

A lot of the 'homeless' in my neck of the woods, actually aren't homeless at all. We've got well marshalled gangs, who pitch up in certain locations, get money given to them, then pool the cash at the end of the day, and off they go. One or two of them are known to get over 200 quid per day. There are some genuinely homeless people, but it's hard to tell which is which, so if I do help them, it's by donating some cash to a charity like Shelter, or donating some food to a food bank. Even the Big Issue sellers are scammers round here. A lot of them have been seen getting dropped off and picked up, by people with cars, and are known to be actually okay, but 'flying below the radar' as regards their 'official' status.

 

[spen666]

There's usually someone walking along a canal towpath no matter what time of the day it is. I wouldn't worry too much. They're used to the cold and the booze,so they'll live to fight another day. If you ask them about their well being they might take it the wrong way.

This comes across as a very sad ( to my way of thinking) , very selfish and uncaring attitude towards a fellow human.

What a sad world it would be if everyone ignored fellow human beings potential needs

 

[spen666]

In the Cafe now !

 

[fossyant]

There are many homeless in Manchester - there does seem to be some issues with 'real' homeless and the pop up eco warriors. We've had a few incidents in the last few years where the eco warriors have made the situation worse for the genuine homeless. We had a group who regularly camped under the Mancunian Way, but some protesters decided to build a cardboard city. The regulars were across the road. It eventually lead to the space being fenced off and everyone being moved on.

 

[Drago]

In my old line of work I met hundreds of rough sleepers, and almost all were in that situation because of their own behaviour. When you did manage to help them access a support service the majority would misbehave in some way and get booted out.

There were some people I met in that situation though genuine happenstance, or (non self inflicted) mental health issues, but they were so exceptional as to be virtually extinct.

 

[spen666]

There are many homeless in Manchester - there does seem to be some issues with 'real' homeless and the pop up eco warriors. We've had a few incidents in the last few years where the eco warriors have made the situation worse for the genuine homeless. We had a group who regularly camped under the Mancunian Way, but some protesters decided to build a cardboard city. The regulars were across the road. It eventually lead to the space being fenced off and everyone being moved on.

This may be a stupid ignorant question, but why were the "eco warriors" there and what was their purpose?

 

[jonny jeez]

What everyone single one chooses to live that way, I have been homeless with a wife and baby, it was not by choice.

If I read it wrong I apologize.

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?

 

[Drago]

What would help you through the day?

Heroin, in the towns I worked.

 

[jonny jeez]

I know in the city centres there are scores of these guys....but i commute down a canal towpath. The guy was there this morning sat upright gripping a can of strongbow and on my way home at 6pm sat in exactly the same spot but sort of keeled over with head between his knees. I guess in the city there are police who may check that they are still alive but where he was sat he may not get passed for hours on end overnight. What do you do? ignore it or ask him if hes alright and if no response try and get him some help. He might be an agressive drunk as well. I have seen the odd other drunk in this state and one time there was a st johns ambulance trying to get down to some guy flat out on his back that i had also seen at 8am drinking. I guess someone bad called for help. I wouldnt normally approach a drunk to check their wellbeing but its so cold that you would imagine it could finish him off.

I think you should act on your instinct.

If you feel that something wasn't right, then do something, anything to help.

Its frightening to approach a stranger, especially as we are programmed with such mixed messages ...you don't have to intervene yourself, if you feel uncomfortable or at threat but I would urge you to follow up on one of the links provided upthread, at least.

Happy christmas

 

[srw]

The examples I gave were very different to a family homeless they were single people and choose to be where they are.

How do you know? Have you asked them? All of them?

Homelessness is dreadful, and a direct consequence of government policy. It's utterly implausible that any more than a tiny minority choose it willingly.

 

[jonny jeez]

Heroin, in the towns I worked.

I know you are joking but a lot of the people I have offered support to just want a drink. That does leave a good number who have really appreciated a hot takeaway or a coffee but most just want something to help them get through the night.

 

[Drago]

Not joking mate. I appreciate there are cases of genuine hardship out there, but having worked professionally with such people I can only speak as I find, and that is that the majority were that way because of either persistent criminality or drug use, and when you did try to help a good 8 out of 10 would then get themselves excluded .

It may be politically incorrect to speak the truth, but there it is, two different large towns in two different counties. The few cases of genuine, unwarranted hardship I met had my full support and sympathy.

 

[jonny jeez]

How do you know? Have you asked them? All of them?

Homelessness is dreadful, and a direct consequence of government policy. It's utterly implausible that any more than a tiny minority choose it willingly.

I agree in so much as I doubt any people choose to be homeless. However there is an argument that some *SOME * make choices that lead to homelessness.there is a responsibility there. Your argument is to challenge who is responsible I guess

On that point I think that blaming this on the government, whilst most likely correct is a waste of breath.
Which government?...homelessness has existed for hundreds of years, we cant just pass the buck to the current administration, they are all... means we are all ...to blame.

I worked I my workshop last night, with plenty of clean clothing and closed doors. After two hours I was frozen through and had to come in for a mug of tea...and last night was clement.

How anyone can survive every night outdoors is beyond me.

 

[AndyRM]

Cheers, will take a look at the streetlink website.

Unless Streetlink has improved drastically, do not bother with them. They launched without actually informing local authorities and their response time is/was horrendous.

You're far better off getting in touch with the homelessness arm of your local council (in Newcastle it's the Homeless Liason Project for example) - very often they will be aware of genuine rough sleepers. If it's a new case they will be able to provide appropriate help.