Is There More We Can Do To Help The Homeless When The Weather Is So Cold?

[anthro-nerd]

As per previous thread, but are we doing enough?

Should we be opening school halls... community centres... all churches? Should there be a drop off point advertised locally for people to take bedding and food... Should youth groups have a certain amount of time dedicated to helping out the homeless (like scout groups volunteering?)

Would anyone consider taking someone in when the ground is thick with snow? (I live alone so wouldn't feel safe, but wish I wasn't such a pansy as I lie warm in my bed tonight...)

[anneasquith]

Maybe fax this op to Theresa may.

[bainbrig]

Your local foodbank is at the sharp end - in fairly constant contact with those at the bottom of our social ladder. They might have advice.

Our local one, in Neasden, organises what it can for local homeless people (even though this is not in their official remit).

If you are 'on' social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) maybe there will be ways advertised there as to what practical help you can give - and I would agree, opening up your home might have dangers attached.

BB

[AnkolsisZ]

I don't think people care about the homeless And I think the poor might care because they know how it like to be homeless maby the rich because they might have a heart and feel bad but normal people just want there money and never help the homeless not all normal people

You can help with like a little group with maby atlest 6 member in the group giving food for them to eat and money for them to live in a hotel as shelter and maby you can work hard to find them a good job so they can make money and live Doing this might save the homeless from suffering You can try getting more people in the group to make it easier and more homeless saved from the hunger and cold Hopfully this help you

[vetuste_ennemi]

"We" voluntarily, or "we" by means of government policy?

[Georgiesmum]

Local groups that help charities like the Lions clubs and Rotary clubs collect warm clothes for the homeless and there are always plenty of collection points to take food items for them as well as the soup kitchens.
at the moment.

[jennyjoan]

Ankol - I very much care for the Homeless - every day I wake up and say to myself - thank you God for the roof over my head and the heat in it and food on the table.

I am now physically giving food to the homeless bank - this is a charity that is being funded by themselves (no government help) and also they go out every night from 7-11 in a downtown street in Belfast with food kits, soup, bags filled with the necessities of life - made up for those that have been sanctioned - no nothing - I will continue giving to those. No I was never homeless - when I get better myself (health wise) I will then volunteer to go out at night with them - this is what I want to do.

As we all know these Homeless people are not all alcoholics, druggies but some poor people who have lost their way and just looking for that tunnel light.

I must say I have only done two or three times and I enjoyed and made me think I done something and will continue to do so.

Please look around where you live and try to give a little.

[Mamyalynne]

I feel that when thinking about helping, we have to consider our own capabilities and safety -as a single woman you are right to be careful about throwing your door open.
We each do what we can and there are some wonderful people as mentioned above who give more than their share of time and care as well as a cash or food/blanket donation.

Whatever we do there will always be need for more and yes, like JJ I count my blessings regularly.

[jourdain2]

It can be so easy to find yourself homeless - by no fault of your own. There is a charity in Bridlington (The Hinge) to which we donate as much as we can. We also have a food box in church which goes there. Odds and ends of domestic life (pans etc.)go to setting people up.

It is awful to think that I would be wary about inviting a strange man/woman in for the night - but I would be. :( What I would do is contact the appropriate organisations and organise some shelter. Our church is open during the day -but we can't leave it open at night - there is no loo for a start. Perhaps we would think about opening the Community Centre - but who would pay for the heating and electricity? It is a struggle to keep it going as it is.

TBH if I found someone huddled on my doorstep - I'd risk it; but would also alert relevant authorities and ask for help.

[EDDIE51]

There already is a system of extra help in severe weather
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/pa/article-5437289/How-help-homeless-people-cold-weather.html
It is automatically activated when the severe weather conditions are met,like they have been now.

[EDDIE51]

^ The Severe Weather Emergency Protocol SWEP comes into effect
https://www.homeless.org.uk/our-work/resources/guidance-on-severe-weather-emergency-protocol-swep-and-extended-weather-provision

[Baldric]

How naive is the Post @ 00:40 ?

[pastafreak]

The drop-in that is part of the charity I work for, has just started taking part in SWEP...Severe Weather Emergency Protocol...along with other agencies.

https://www.homeless.org.uk/our-work/resources/guidance-on-severe-weather-emergency-protocol-swep-and-extended-weather-provision

For anything like this, you need space along with both experienced workers and volunteers to supervise. We can hold 15, but yesterday my co-workers were assuming we'd have to make space for more. It's "easy" enough to get food, etc. But a warm and dry place to sleep is like gold dust.

[pastafreak]

You weren't there when I started typing, EDDIE.

[naomi24]

Careful.

http://metro.co.uk/2018/02/27/town-starts-campaign-expose-fake-beggars-not-homeless-7344935/

[jourdain2]

Thanks for that info., EDDIE.

[pastafreak]

Naomi...this is not about fake beggars.
It's about those who are known...by various agencies that monitor homeless numbers...to be homeless.
Granted though...churches or community centres who decide to help may not have this information...unless they liaise with the relevant agencies.

[kvalidir]

The police have already discredited that group Naomi and asked them to desist as they cannot possibly have accurate information about how is and who is not homeless.
To answer the question when we have a house full of people I wouldn't hesitate to have a homeless person stay in cold weather, but I would be careful when I am here alone because no matter who you are, how savvy you are etc you have to sleep so you can't always be on your toes and whilst not all homeless people would pose a problem, some might, so it's wise to be careful.

[webbo3]

Anneasquith 14:34 Mon 26th Feb 2018
\\Maybe fax this op to Theresa may.//

So there was never any homelessness under labour, perhaps you could emaill all your local labour politicians and the labour party to see if they can help.

[smartypants10101]

sadly the bad few spoil it for the genuine ones,

[smartypants10101]

i got 4 tins of cat food in my food bank parcel last time I needed to use one, tho i dont have a cat, the dog gulped it down