Homeless in the U.K.

Are there a lot of homeless folks in the U.K.? Thanks to all of the health care cuts in America -- more and more mentally ill people are winding up homeless. And many of them are women. It used to be mostly men. For example, during a simple six block walk to Safeway -- I encounter at least a dozen homeless folks. And 3-4 are women. What's it like in the U.K.? I hope the situation is less grim where you are at? Any info is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

--QP

 

There are homeless people here, and some cities are worse than others, but they can still get free health care....

 

I think free health care is wonderful. But I doubt it will ever become a reality in the U.S. I've never understood why. It seems like it should be a human right. So do homeless people in the UK choose to live as they do? Do you have enough homeless shelters?

--QP

 

I think all the homeless folk in the UK have to go live at Fagin’s place, it's like a rule or something.. He teaches em a trade..

Peace

 

I don't think anyone would choose to be homeless. There are shelters, support groups, charitable initiatives such as the Big Issue which allow homeless people to make a steady income by selling a magazine, etc. But I think the problem is the same as anywhere else. A vicious cycle of extreme deprivation, which can sink into alcohol and drug dependency, which makes it harder for people to find employment necessary to afford housing. There are benefits available for people out of work, but to claim these you need to have a fixed address. The truth is, all societies, especially heavily market-orientated ones, allow some people to slip through their net.

 

You mean like in Oliver Twist? How very curious.

--QP

 

Very well said. And apart from the free health care issue --it's the same in America. I mean, we do have a few homeless folks that choose to be homeless (they're usually very young, and don't want to be forced to jump through all the hoops required to get any true help from government agencies and such), but there's also a newspaper they can sell -- no address is required for that. Usually it's the middle aged homeless selling the newspapers on street corners. I always buy a copy to help out.

But what is most alarming is the increase I am seeing in the number of homeless women and mentally ill people. The American system tends to use its jails as a temporary place to keep the homeless off the streets. This can be very expensive and it just doesn't make any sense. There's not enough funds to offer mental health services to these people, so they wind up being treated like criminals. I think this is very sad. I guess America is not the best place to be -- if you are poor and mentally ill. It sounds like the situation is much more humane in the U.K. For the most part, homeless Americans are either ignored by the public, or carted off to jail for loitering. And it's only getting worse. I'm glad to hear things are better in your country. I wish the situation would somehow improve here.

--QP

 

Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses and I'll let them get trampled on....

 

This is sadly true...

--QP

 

Yeah Oliver Twist, I bet your curious bout Nancy huh ?? She was kinda dirty but I bet she was hot !!

Peace

 

Actually, I'm more curious about the cat in your sig. The poor thing seems to be begging for food. I think I can spare a cheeseburger or two (or maybe a double cheeseburger?). After all, we're all God's creatures....

--QP

 

Cool, make it a double, she brings everything home to me anyway, Ooh hold the pickles, I, err she doesn't like pickles, my cat thanks you

Peace

 

One double cheeseburger (hold the pickles) coming right up! But it's for your hungry cat, okay? I wasn't born yesterday! Anyway, I bet she's willing to share it with you. All you need do is ask.

--QP

 

Sadly she doesn't speak the same language as me, she's a Russian Blue, damn Bolshevik ...

Peace

 

I think we should call you Silver Sikes from now on....

 

Although not on the streets, im 'technically' homeless (im squatting)... many of my friends have been street homeless, and in shelters, selling the big issue etc. I think its very similar in all 'developed' countries... your safe and warm as long as you play the game, tick the boxes.. the state will look after you. but one slip up in the bureaucracy and they will happily take everything away from you. Im not on drugs, or have mental health issues, but even i struggle keeping up with the shit you have to do to get by on benefits while your looking for work... from this position its easy to see how all sorts of people can fall through the net..

 

Yeah, being street homeless can be a living hell. I was on the streets for three years (during my late teens), and I'll never forget how shabbily I was treated by most of society. There was an exception or two, but most housed folks either pretended I was invisible -- or rudely told me to get off my ass and find a job.

Since I was clinically depressed, just staying alive was something I had to force myself to do: my thoughts were too disorganized to figure out how to find and keep a job. Plus with no address (and not being able to keep up with my hygiene), nobody wanted to give me a chance and hire me. I eventually got physically sick and wound up in a county hospital. Ironically, I was not offered any true help until it was nearly too late. I consider myself lucky. And that's why I hate to see anybody else have to go through this. I believe housing should be a human right. Just like health care. Compassion is what makes us human.

--QP

 

Not nearly as many homeless people here as in the US, but they are about

 

I think so, but many people can't get in because the shelters are "dry," meaning you can't drink alcohol there.

My friend took part in this, you might find it interesting:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nohome/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/videonation/feature/nohome/

Home - What Does it Mean? by Bollom

A security blanket of bricks and mortar
Never having to be cold
Closing a door on the world
Content in the knowledge that this one space
This one area is mine
To welcome in others to this one world
Boundaries that no one can breach
Freedom to laugh or cry
To never again wake in the night
Or to hear jeering laughter or those words
"Can you move along please"
To stand and watch the rain or snow
Protected by a window, looking out at a world
That doesn't care, or can't or won't
Knowing that now I'm safe, and sound, and secure

What does a home mean to me?
All the above and so much more
No mere words have the power to explain
Just to know that those I love are safe
Just to know that I am safe
And never ever again to wake
To feel the wind or the ran beat down
To look at my hands that once held so many dreams
Just to know that never, ever again
Will I have to face that hell.
To feel safe and secure once more.
​

About Bollom:
Bollom says he became homeless "as a result of my own stupidity". He was inspired to write this poem as a result of talking to a friend and realising what he hadn't got.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nohome/findoutmore/poetry/

 

This is a good trend...
N i do think from know on id also try to buy *the big issue*...im just suprised i havent yet...