homeless people

[united4ever]

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.

 

[Noru]

There is an app/website called http://www.streetlink.org.uk for notifying local services about people sleeping rough so someone can check on them and let them know of support services they may be unaware of.

 

[Accy cyclist]

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.

 

[screenman]

They might, being the sad point. Why not just give a cheery how do or good evening as you go past.

If no response I would certainly contact the police and tell them of your concern.

It is our responsibility as humans to look out for others, not hope somebody else will. Who knows, any of us could end up there ourselves.

 

[KEEF]

You OK mate is enough.

 

[Hitchington]

There should be a charity outreach service who will send someone along to engage with any individual you are worried about. A quick Google search for "homeless outreach" will inform you of the ones in your area and then you can give them a call.

Edit: this website is good and will link to a local service who will help http://www.streetlink.org.uk

 

[united4ever]

Cheers, will take a look at the streetlink website.

 

[TrishE]

I don't think living outside is thought of in the same way on the towpath as it is in towns. People tend to be known, I know and chat to one man who sleeps under bridges in the summer but heads off to a warmer country in winter. I've regularly stepped over another man who says hello, and there was a lady that walked the towpath with two dogs and a cat sleeping in a homemade shelter who then got a boat and was helped by boaters.

These people aren't unfortunate they choose to live that way and aren't always short of money. Best to just say hello and either stop to chat or pass by

 

[screenman]

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.

 

[TrishE]

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.

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

 

[screenman]

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

I hope we agree most homeless are not there through choice though.

 

[TrishE]

I don't think living outside is thought of in the same way on the towpath as it is in towns. People tend to be known

It's different than in towns the canals are more like an old fashioned community

 

[Venod]

I came across a bloke laying under a motorway bridge at the side of the river, I stopped he was breathing and there was an empty wine bottle nearby, I made the decision to leave him and let him sleep it off, (it was summer) but it prayed on my mind afterwards and if it happens again I will probably try and wake them up (from a distance)

 

[greekonabike]

I lost contact with one my best friends about ten years ago. I saw her four years later and she was addicted to heroin and sleeping rough. I managed to stay in contact with her for a year or so before she fell off the map. She was found dead in a tent at the beginning of September this year, she was 27.

Now I've spent hours wondering whether I could or should have done more. The problem was that I couldn't really do anything. She was the nicest person in the world, even when she was using, and she'd do anything for you. She just lost the fight.

The last time I saw her was about five years ago, and I told her she was going to die if she didn't change. She told me that she knew. That's the hardest part.

GOAB

 

[spen666]

Not sure this is a cycling discussion .

Is the homeless person in the OP a cyclist?


Is this not one for SCP section