“As long as you get someone’s name and address in your pocket book, everything else can be worked out later.” Words of wisdom I remember from one of my first days at Hendon, where the Metropolitan Police Service trains its officers.
Great piece! I work in a Knightsbridge church and have seen a lot of stuff like this. There is a huge variation between the different types of folk who need some sort of help. A lot of very odd many kind often funny but there are always a few rougher sorts.
I'm glad that ended on a happyish note. All of us need a sense of human connection but many of us don't get it due to being innately obnoxious. Or perceived so. Or both. I rarely hear "homeless derelicts" actually begging these days. The ones I see are NOT soliciting money. They have a room in a drugs project or in a squat or doss,and yes,some of them have a council flat and inside it is like the one described. Because they don't want to sit inside all day watching Bargain Hunt and Flog It on tv every day. Even I don't want to do that and I like those TV shows (but I don't have a TV now). Sat outside Lidl or Morrisons or Tesco they get to see their friends,people talk to them as regulars,they get conversation,money sometimes but it's offered or given not asked for. This is my analysis. They need someone to take care of them,to care about them but that person doesnt exist,or did but they drove them away.Care in the Community was the stupidest idea ever because the Community doesn't care. The community is where they burn witches.
I think you are right that the vast majority are not ‘begging’ in the traditional sense. I think there is another piece I could write on the thousands who sit hiding in their homes watching daytime TV all today, with almost no conception of the world outside.
Great piece! I work in a Knightsbridge church and have seen a lot of stuff like this. There is a huge variation between the different types of folk who need some sort of help. A lot of very odd many kind often funny but there are always a few rougher sorts.
I am sure you have seen a lot!
My favourite is the Romanian Hungarian who is writing his autobiography. The manuscript is two a4 pukka pads at this point.
We should publish it on Substack
I'm glad that ended on a happyish note. All of us need a sense of human connection but many of us don't get it due to being innately obnoxious. Or perceived so. Or both. I rarely hear "homeless derelicts" actually begging these days. The ones I see are NOT soliciting money. They have a room in a drugs project or in a squat or doss,and yes,some of them have a council flat and inside it is like the one described. Because they don't want to sit inside all day watching Bargain Hunt and Flog It on tv every day. Even I don't want to do that and I like those TV shows (but I don't have a TV now). Sat outside Lidl or Morrisons or Tesco they get to see their friends,people talk to them as regulars,they get conversation,money sometimes but it's offered or given not asked for. This is my analysis. They need someone to take care of them,to care about them but that person doesnt exist,or did but they drove them away.Care in the Community was the stupidest idea ever because the Community doesn't care. The community is where they burn witches.
I think you are right that the vast majority are not ‘begging’ in the traditional sense. I think there is another piece I could write on the thousands who sit hiding in their homes watching daytime TV all today, with almost no conception of the world outside.
A diverse problem, with loneliness, dependency and addiction intwined. Not an easy answer..
Exactly, there is no ‘one size’ solution to this