Societies Reaction to a Homeless Person

The issue of homelessness is rather complex at times, but the response to a homeless person is usually quite simple. It seems that many people have a general fear or loathing of those they see sleeping on the streets and I can only guess this is due to ignorance or misconceptions spread by the tabloids. While others may look on them with pity and unwittingly patronise them with their willingness to help.

But slowly and surely people are spreading the word that a homeless person is the same as everyone else (as those with a home). A homeless person can be a mother/father, a son/daughter, or a sister/brother. They may have hopes and dreams and made some good choices and bad choices in their lives as well as anyone else in society.

Here are some ways that homeless people can now be heard, so that perceptions can begin to change. Take a look and let us know what you think.

Crisis Changing Lives Sophie's Story

                                 Lydia's Story   

Doing it homeless      No Box Blogs 

sendwire.com           This is a cool Story 

What is your reaction?

Will the end of the Workers Registration Scheme help those already rough sleeping with 'No Recourse to Public Funds' ?

As of 1st  May 2011, the worker's registration scheme will no longer exist. This currently effects A8 Nationals living and working in Britain (A8 countries are Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungry, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia). It means that as of this date, A8 nationals will have the same rights as other EEA (European Economic Area) Nationals in this country. See Directgov for EEA and A8 info

Currently A8 nationals cannot access Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) until they have worked for 12 months in accordance with the Workers Registration Scheme (WRS) and have to pay £90.00 to register on this scheme. They can not access benefits unless under the WRS and have completed 12 months of employment. For those that have not completed 12 months of employment required due to illness or unemployment, they are not entitled to benefits until they can complete the allocated time in employment.

The biggest changes to the cancelling of WRS is that A8 Nationals can now register for income based JSA (as long as they meet the same criteria as  British Citizens accessing benefits). They should also be entitled to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefits.

While researching this issue I have been unable to understand how this effects those A8 Nationals already in this country. Much of the documents I have read comes from the perspective of someone newly entering the country.

Will this impact on those already rough sleeping? Will this solve many of our issues regarding those sleeping out who have No Recourse to Public Funds? How does it work in practice?

Show your support for Soup Runs

There will not be a discussion on The Spike this week, instead please show your support for 

Soup Run Street Party on the Piazza.

Following on from a recent discussion on The Spike, regarding Westminster City Council planning to ban soup runs, it also seems they are  proposing a by-law to ban rough sleeping and giving to the homeless. 

There will be a street party for anyone wanting to attend, to " celebrate the positive impact of soup runs and groups giving to the homeless in Westminster, with food, music and fun provided!"

They will be meeting at  2pm on 20th March at Westminster Cathedral Piazza.

To find out more and to offer your support check out their facebook site or email lids@sockmob.org.uk

Are soup runs still necessary in today's society?

This week has seen Westminster City Council state that they intend to ban soup runs within a particular area of their borough (see below for map).  There are arguments from a variety of parties both for and against soup runs.

Soup runs offer a way of accessing food and sometimes clothing for those that are unable or unwilling to engage with other services. Anyone can access the services provided by soup runs. Whilst many of the service users will be rough sleepers, those that are housed also use the services. Some service users will have access to benefits, albeit they are likely to be struggling financially, while others will not be claiming even if they can. It can be a place for socialising as well as support.

The attraction of the soup run is that it is commitment free and anonymous.   For someone new to the streets, or experiencing problems with their benefits, soup runs allow rough sleepers to address a basic need for food. It also means that those dealing with other issues including addiction, phobias and paranoia and who feel they cannot access a building based service, such as a day centre, are provided with stress free interaction.

However, the issues raised against soup runs are that many are organised by those without any experience of people management, crowd control or homeless people. Soup run numbers can be high and there are often very few volunteers to run the service. Many service users have used these services for many years. They can however be very intimidating to those using the service, who may be vulnerable, residents of the areas, and volunteers as well as outreach workers. Which may account for the general dislike of such activities.

But do these soup runs really help rough sleepers maintain a life on the streets or does it allow them to access essentials for their basic survival on the streets? 

For more information

Click here for a detailed map of the area in question

London School of Economics document Soup runs in Central London: ‘The right help in the right place at the right time?’