The Homeless man outside iceland

[wmrcomputers]

Likewise here. He'll wonder where the sudden surge of generosity has come from. Tell him a concerned citizen started the whole ball rolling

 

[citricsquid]

Speaking of helping homeless people, does anyone know much about the Stafford charity House of Bread or of any other Stafford charities that help the homeless? I think I learned about House of Bread on this forum but I can't for the life of me remember where. Perhaps a forum fundraiser for a homeless charity (led by ConcernedCitizen because he cares so much!) would help improve the lives of the homeless people in Stafford just a little bit.

 

[tek-monkey]

Well let's see, we have the argos staff, the home and bargain staff, the Iceland staff, the clothing brand store and the other smaller establishments.

My brother used to work at Home Bargains, last winter on a particularly cold day he purchased a few bits and pieces to give to the guy further towards wilkos to make sure he was OK. Maybe he is in the minority, but he obviously didn't think his job was at risk because of the guy (or maybe he just didn't think his job was as important)?

 

[Jade-clothing]

My brother used to work at Home Bargains, last winter on a particularly cold day he purchased a few bits and pieces to give to the guy further towards wilkos to make sure he was OK. Maybe he is in the minority, but he obviously didn't think his job was at risk because of the guy (or maybe he just didn't think his job was as important)?

Ah, that was nice of him
I got chatting to the one who sits outside Trinity Church once and he asked for my phone number
I think most people are sympathetic to their situation.
It's ridiculous to suggest the businesses in the area may close down just because of one or two homeless men. they are national chains - a homeless man sitting outside one of their shops and putting of maybe 2 or 3 customers a week isn't going to make a dent in their profit.
To be honest I really doubt it is hardly putting anyone off actually going in, the British are great at turning the other way and ignoring what is going on.

 

[wmrcomputers]

I spotted the house of bread food bin in the Asda foyer last week when down for a few bits very late at night, so I purchased a couple of tins and placed them in there.

 

[Frontal]

Out of curiosity though, why IS it always town centres? I'm not just referring to the local situation here but every town in the Country.

To be clear, it isn't town centers. The homeless you see there will always be a tiny drop in the ocean. The majority are what is known as "invisible homeless". They don't want to be seen, whether out of pride, or fear (the rise of street violence by gangs is thought to be a key component to this - the 'happy slapping' phenomenon struck them hard).

Why do some of them choose public spaces ? I imagine it is two key components - footfall, and if a group is out giving donations (blankets/soup ... standard Salvation Army fair) they tend to check these types of locations first ... be visible and you're more likely to get lucky.

 

[CreamCake]

Out of curiosity though, why IS it always town centres? I'm not just referring to the local situation here but every town in the Country.

Like I say, talking from experience I've spent a few weeks homeless before but I myself didn't sleep or hang out in a town centre out of respect for businesses - so in a small way I respect part of the point that ConcernedCitizen is making. I'm in no way however saying they should be moved on or out - it's a genuine situation that any of us could find ourselves in.
Maybe the homeless feel safer in a town centre where they know there are cameras and a large amount of passers-by to feel reasonably safe. Just wondering what peoples thoughts are.

Maybe my few weeks on the streets wasn't enough for me to loose my sense of compassion for business owners. Maybe not long enough to become desperate enough to be seen by hundreds that may take pity and give me food or money. I was lucky, and I mean REALLY lucky enough to be overheard talking about shelters etc. with a recently made homeless girl in a cafe when an elderly couple sitting nearby came up to us to chat. They lived in an old 12 bed B&B that they only used then as a bungalow, and kindly gave us rooms at £20 per week until we got on our feet. Through them I also got recommended for a job and resumed a normal life within a matter of weeks. I've no doubt that without them my life may have very well turned out far different to how it is now.

Not just town centres, earlier this year there was a homeless lady living along the canal at Farmdown Road for a few months.

 

[proactive]

Not just town centres, earlier this year there was a homeless lady living along the canal at Farmdown Road for a few months.

Well I hope somebody threw her in, selfish cow, making the place look untidy and damaging the barge hire business putting thousands of jobs at risk.

And don't even think of arguing with me over this as I am a Liberal/libertarian and proud of it.

 

[Alee]

It's a tough subject, to which I can see both sides. If I owned a nearby shop paying high rents etc. would I be impressed? Hell no!! On the other hand I've spent a few weeks homeless before. However it didn't mean I was drunk or drugged up - just unlucky at the time (which was thankfully only for a few weeks). I also didn't feel a need to reside in a busy town centre or become a nuisance in any way.

I agree that the homeless need help, however it can't be forced onto them by one of us ringing the social services or the Bethany project. They need to ask for that help themselves ideally. Some, as unfortunate as it is, choose that way of life and are happy to beg and drink life away.

A little true story of mine...
When I lived in Blackpool there were several homeless people I'd see regularly. There was only one that never asked for anything, never wore a homeless sign and never held a cup out for change. After a week or so it dawned on me that he was a desperate as those actually begging so I gave him a hot drink, a burger and a cigarette. He never ever asked, and I chose to give to him on some (but not all) occassions. A few weeks later he spotted me and ran up to me with a huge smile showing me the soaking wet £20 note he had found on the seafront the previous evening, and insisted to buy me 10 cigarettes to replace what I had given to him.
4 months later, I saw him clean shaven and litter picking. He'd got a paid job, a bedsit flat and turned things around. I asked how he managed to go from one extreme to another when the other same homeless faces never changed and he told me "they're all happy to beg and booze and I wasn't. I might have been homeless but I was never a begger and never will be".
Possibly one of the most genuine people I will ever have met.

awww thats a lovely story ! x

 

[Sir BoD]

I walked past said gentleman only the other week and I received a tirade of verbal abuse from him. For that, I feel very uncomfortable walking past him so try my best to avoid that area if I can.

That is all.

 

[arthur]

I give him some money if i pass him, it is my choice to either walk straight past him or smile and give him a bit of money. don't give him money because i feel guilty about what I've got compared to what he's got. I just see another human being sitting on the floor begging. It's a decent and kind gesture for someone in need. I don't have much money to spare and my family and i are on a tight ebudget but at least we have a house and each other to care about.

 

[wmrcomputers]

and my family and i are on a tight ebudget

What you spend online surely has nothing to do with this?

 

[marky]

heard him yelling feck off at someone today loser! do not mind him so much,

I hate the people who are drinking cans of beer in the street weekdays 8-5 ish, hope they are not claiming ESA, or I will do everything I can to remove their benefits UNLESS they undertake full time activity, lots of litter to be picked up, graffiti to be removed, churchyards cleaned, painting etc

 

[tek-monkey]

Plenty of those outside the shops on stone road most days of the week, usually see them on my way to work.

 

[Gareth]

Homeless people effecting business is utter tosh. Anyone who had been the westend in london would get an eye opener, level of homeless and begging evening outside plush theatres is unreal yet effects nothing.

for someone so concerned maybe a call to social services, the eagle newport rd, shelter, salvation army, house of bread etc etc would be more of use, I have also seen pcsos and enforcement officers move such folk when issues are made.

but of course concerned citizen is another of those who would rather debate on a forum in hope someone else would deal with it.

p.s. anyone else notice how ppppp has gone quiet since the marwood came back, hmmml I wonder.

 

[proactive]

I hate the people who are drinking cans of beer in the street weekdays 8-5 ish, hope they are not claiming ESA, or I will do everything I can to remove their benefits

Not disagreeing with you on this point but, how do you propose to find out whether they are claiming ESA?

 

[ATJ]

heard him yelling feck off at someone today loser! do not mind him so much,

I hate the people who are drinking cans of beer in the street weekdays 8-5 ish, hope they are not claiming ESA, or I will do everything I can to remove their benefits UNLESS they undertake full time activity, lots of litter to be picked up, graffiti to be removed, churchyards cleaned, painting etc

Now that is a sure fire way to lose people thousands of jobs.

 

[tek-monkey]

If jobless people do jobs that previously paid people did then this country is screwed, just look at the thousands of hours of unpaid labour tesco got from their let's not help anyone back to work scheme.

 

[John Marwood]

One of these works for a living

 

[citricsquid]

One of these works for a living

I have deja vu.