Homeless people....
Discussion
I work in Manchester city centre and see a lot of homeless people about, i guess its the same around most big cities, but i know Manchester seems to have a bigger problem than most.
Talking to colleagues there seems to be quite varying views on them
How much of it is contrived by individuals who are exploiting others and how much of it is real?
And do you give them anything or chose to ignore them?
Talking to colleagues there seems to be quite varying views on them
- Some feel that a significant number of people will masquerade as homeless to get cash from people
- Some feel that they will buy drink and drugs if you give them cash
- Some feel that we should help by giving cash / food if possible
How much of it is contrived by individuals who are exploiting others and how much of it is real?
And do you give them anything or chose to ignore them?
Very difficult issue. I am in the "don't give them money" camp. I used to buy the Big Issue but the last time I bought one the seller asked to keep it, so clearly a devious person out to scam for money - I wouldn't tar them all with that brush at all, but that was enough for me to no longer buy the Big Issue. I usually just give them a couple of fags if I catch them in the eye, they're human and I don't want to ignore them and a couple of fags is nothing to me but probably a lot to them.
I tend to see if I can buy them some food and give it to them. The other day sadly the chap was at the side of the road whilst I was driving so no way to stop and get him anything, which made me feel bad as it was raining too. I bet he would have enjoyed a coffee.
One thing all too many people seem to overlook - just how easy it can be to get into that situation.
One thing all too many people seem to overlook - just how easy it can be to get into that situation.
Whilst I do think there are a minority who are ‘trying it on’, I think that having people without homes in what’s supposedly a first world country is a complete disgrace.
Most people in a normal, averagely well paid job (not many of these on PistonHeads obviously 🙄) but with a mortgage and few savings don’t realise is that they’re only four or five bad or unlucky decisions from living on the street. This country needs to do a lot more than it does.
Most people in a normal, averagely well paid job (not many of these on PistonHeads obviously 🙄) but with a mortgage and few savings don’t realise is that they’re only four or five bad or unlucky decisions from living on the street. This country needs to do a lot more than it does.
BrabusMog said:
Very difficult issue. I am in the "don't give them money" camp. I used to buy the Big Issue but the last time I bought one the seller asked to keep it, so clearly a devious person out to scam for money - I wouldn't tar them all with that brush at all, but that was enough for me to no longer buy the Big Issue. I usually just give them a couple of fags if I catch them in the eye, they're human and I don't want to ignore them and a couple of fags is nothing to me but probably a lot to them.
The Big Issue sellers are not homeless, they are a 'micro-entrepreneur' according to the Big Issue website:'Vendors buy The Big Issue magazine for £1.25 and sell it for £2.50, meaning each seller is a micro-entrepreneur who is working, not begging. Therefore it is vitally important that buyers take their copy of the magazine when they pay for it'
The Big Issue seller in my town stands outside the co-op main entrance, and she intimidates older people into buying one of her crappy magazines or giving her a 'Gift'. Scum of the earth if you ask me.
Having been homeless for a number of years and now spending some time with homeless people I can say it doesn't make much difference to a genuinely homeless person; until the underlying causes are sorted out then anything else is tinkering at the edges. Underlying causes? Mental health and relationship breakdown (often linked) are at the root of most homelessness in the UK. Sadly doing anything about this is going to be quite expensive so politicians aren't quick to grasp the nettle.
The exception is people who claim to be homeless to make money. Different case, different set of people, needs to be dealt with entirely differently.
The exception is people who claim to be homeless to make money. Different case, different set of people, needs to be dealt with entirely differently.
Tim1989 said:
Whilst I do think there are a minority who are ‘trying it on’, I think that having people without homes in what’s supposedly a first world country is a complete disgrace.
Most people in a normal, averagely well paid job (not many of these on PistonHeads obviously ??) but with a mortgage and few savings don’t realise is that they’re only four or five bad or unlucky decisions from living on the street. This country needs to do a lot more than it does.
I couldn't agree more. The only thing, though, is the "trying it on" ones completely put me off helping them all out as they muddy the waters. It's a very complex issue, though, and one that will probably never be solved. I'll just keep chucking them a cigarette or two, it's better than nothing.Most people in a normal, averagely well paid job (not many of these on PistonHeads obviously ??) but with a mortgage and few savings don’t realise is that they’re only four or five bad or unlucky decisions from living on the street. This country needs to do a lot more than it does.
NotYipper said:
The Big Issue seller in my town stands outside the co-op main entrance, and she intimidates older people into buying one of her crappy magazines or giving her a 'Gift'. Scum of the earth if you ask me.
The Vendor Agreement here covers that https://www.bigissue.org.uk/our-vendors/vendor-con..."You will... Use permitted selling techniques – not those associated with begging/ busking."
2Btoo said:
Having been homeless for a number of years and now spending some time with homeless people I can say it doesn't make much difference to a genuinely homeless person; until the underlying causes are sorted out then anything else is tinkering at the edges. Underlying causes? Mental health and relationship breakdown (often linked) are at the root of most homelessness in the UK. Sadly doing anything about this is going to be quite expensive so politicians aren't quick to grasp the nettle.
The exception is people who claim to be homeless to make money. Different case, different set of people, needs to be dealt with entirely differently.
Well said and thanks for contributing.The exception is people who claim to be homeless to make money. Different case, different set of people, needs to be dealt with entirely differently.
I tend to give money when I'm out and about.
Homelessness has many different underlying issues but dependency issues compound homelessness. If a person is on the streets, hungry, cold, lonely and scared, then who am I to deny them possibly the only thing that makes their situation feel any less horrid than it actually is? Whether that comfort is found in alcohol or drugs or a burger or a simple cup of tea, it is not for me to judge. And by giving money, it gives that person choice. I will always try to stop and chat for a few minutes before I give any cash. I hope it humanises their s
tty lives even if its only for a short while.I don't expect many to agree with my actions but I'm comfortable with my actions.
Tim1989 said:
Whilst I do think there are a minority who are ‘trying it on’, I think that having people without homes in what’s supposedly a first world country is a complete disgrace.
Most people in a normal, averagely well paid job (not many of these on PistonHeads obviously ??) but with a mortgage and few savings don’t realise is that they’re only four or five bad or unlucky decisions from living on the street. This country needs to do a lot more than it does.
Nice though the sentiment is, who do you propose pays for it?Most people in a normal, averagely well paid job (not many of these on PistonHeads obviously ??) but with a mortgage and few savings don’t realise is that they’re only four or five bad or unlucky decisions from living on the street. This country needs to do a lot more than it does.
By the time I've paid income tax, NI, VAT, fuel duty, Council tax etc, etc, etc the State already takes half my money. How much more do you think I should give them?
More importantly than the country doing a lot more than it does, to my mind, is for it to do what it does more efficiently.
Again like irocfan I'm a bit of all 3.
When I'm out on a night out in town I tend to give a couple of quid, based on if they're out in the cold at midnight they're probably not masquerading. During the day I've also bought the odd extra cheeseburger when I'm in McDonalds if I've seen someone outside.
Agree with many posters that not enough is being done and that the numbers are noticeably growing.
When I'm out on a night out in town I tend to give a couple of quid, based on if they're out in the cold at midnight they're probably not masquerading. During the day I've also bought the odd extra cheeseburger when I'm in McDonalds if I've seen someone outside.
Agree with many posters that not enough is being done and that the numbers are noticeably growing.
Deep Thought said:
I work in Manchester city centre and see a lot of homeless people about, i guess its the same around most big cities, but i know Manchester seems to have a bigger problem than most.
Talking to colleagues there seems to be quite varying views on them
How much of it is contrived by individuals who are exploiting others and how much of it is real?
And do you give them anything or chose to ignore them?
Things have gotten very bad in Cardiff of late, there are little tented communities, springing up all over the city. Talking to colleagues there seems to be quite varying views on them
- Some feel that a significant number of people will masquerade as homeless to get cash from people
- Some feel that they will buy drink and drugs if you give them cash
- Some feel that we should help by giving cash / food if possible
How much of it is contrived by individuals who are exploiting others and how much of it is real?
And do you give them anything or chose to ignore them?
I've been working with The Huggard Centre recently in Cardiff, not directly but I've had to visit a few times, I thought I'd seen it all with drug treatment / needle exchanges we work with sometimes, but they're not even close. Sadly, the most dangerous thing that Homeless people face is other homeless people.
It's not something I'm an expert in by any means, but if you want to help homeless people the best thing to do is donate to homeless charities. They offer probably the only route out of homelessness, it's a slow process I don't fully understand, but no one is offering jobs to people on the streets, I know sometimes you read about that one person who sees something in someone else and offers them a job or whatever, but it's mostly clickbait, it almost never happens in real life.
For the most part homeless people don't exist in society unless they're arrested, to 'exist' again they need an address, once they have that then they can apply for social housing etc and begin the long climb back to work and contributing to society. There are long waiting lists, but the homeless charities are the only ones really taking people off the streets and giving them somewhere to exist again.
I don't give them anything these days & sitting next to a cash machine on a friday / saturday night isn't going to guilt me into giving you anything either. Too many professional beggars on the streets of Southampton unfortunately, so i give directly to the charities involved instead.
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