Giving money to people on the street

I think someone mentioned earlier that we never know when one of our own family might become homeless.
This happened to one of our children, due to many factors. Luckily he had us to fall back on, but most of them don't have a dependable family network.

Good post grannyactivist
It's wonderful to know there are people out there like you who really care and do something practical to help.
There used to be a young woman who had a cardboard sign which read hungry, homeless and pregnant
I think now she was probably part of a criminal set up and being used by gang masters, poor soul.
I was curious because she seemed to be there for months but there was no sign of a baby.
Another time I suggested to a young man in a doorway asking for money that the nearby Salvation army ran a drop in centre where he could get a free meal.
They don't open until 9 was his reply!

momb I agree. A couple of times a year I join a friend to do this and we really enjoy it - most of my family and friends think it's a bonkers thing to do, but it is sooo rewarding.

I used to volunteer in a homeless shelter. It was very satisfying washing the mens feet and providing clean socks.

Does anyone remember the film "Slumdog Millionaire" where children were deliberately maimed and then sent out begging? I appreciate this was fiction but know that it goes on in India, for example.

I watched a documentary about the police recently. They were talking about begging. In the park they found abandoned tents and many crutches. They said they were used as a prop. They also spoke to a well known scammer who begged all over Europe. His "thing" was to rock backwards and forwards pretending he was mentally challenged. The charities ask us not to give to beggers.

Two other charities that provide direct care to the homeless are Feet on the Street and Street Vet. Many rough sleepers have severe foot problems, similar to trench foot. Others have dogs. Both these charities actually go out onto the streets and offer check ups and free treatment.

At this time of the year thermal socks (any socks actually) are usually very well received by rough sleepers.

To answer the original question, I rarely give money to people on the street, I do give my time and skills (and on occasion a financial donation) on a daily basis to the homelessness charity I work with. But - that's not to say I think it's a bad thing to give to rough sleepers.

This is a huge subject, but there are a couple of points I would like to make. Some rough sleepers are in receipt of benefits so those who are in Universal Credit areas NEED to have a smartphone or access to a computer in order to log on to their UC journals. (Having said that, three out of every five of my clients don't have mobile phones so my charity keeps a phone at a local cafe for their use.)

There are sometimes very good reasons why people refuse offers of a place in a hostel.

One of my clients is a middle aged man who has worked his whole life. A series of unfortunate events left him street homeless and unable to work due to a health problem. He has no mental health issues, doesn't smoke, drink alcohol or use drugs. I have found him to be scrupulously honest and he has great integrity. He was homeless for months before I was able to help him to access the benefits to which he is entitled and during that time he slept on a bench, refusing all offers of a hostel place. Why? Because hostels are often (not always) places where people with mental health, drug and alcohol problems and chaotic lifestyles are all together under one roof and he would have felt unsafe. During his time on the streets he never begged, but accepted the cash that people kindly gave him. His income from benefits is £73.10 out of which he has to pay for his utilities, clothing, maintaining his (tiny) bungalow and buy food. We are now in the process of making a PIP application with him and without the ongoing support of the charity he would find it almost impossible to sustain the tenancy.

I don’t give to street people but do give to the Salvation Army and a couple of local charities which help the homeless. They know what they’re doing.

We have two Big Issue sellers with pitches in our little town. They’ve been coming for many years and alternate, but I don’t buy from them either these days as they’ve got quite aggressive - especially the bloke who has a mouthful of gold teeth. Not enough to report them, but enough to make people cross over to avoid them.

Exactly Elrel! Just stop and ask. Our local man outside M&S had been plied with drinks, sandwiches and mince pies yesterday. He looked stuffed but happy in his doorway but when asked it was a book he wanted. A ‘page turner’ were his exact words.

It must be boring having nothing much to do, nowhere to go, so hence his request.

Greyduster
The Roma have their roots in Northern India, hence the 'asian' look.

A lot of assumptions about people on the street. Best to ask their preference if you want to buy them a hot drink or sandwich, not choose it for them. Some cafés are generous with hot drinks and any food which won't be saleable next day, or even an hour later. A local homeless person appreciated a notebook and pen as they write poems.

Blubelle - I've met more than one man who doesn't feel safe to sleep in a hostel. The drunks and, especially, drug users, can be threatening, stealing and fights are rife. One stays in a suburban shop doorway at night, another in a small railway station lift. They might go into the city centre when the Outreach team are there but sleep in safer areas or in the daytime.

A family member worked for a homeless charity for years so I asked what we should do.
I dislike passing beggars and looking away.
I was told not to give money because of the drugs booze etc but yes buy the big issue and yes buy breakfast tokens and ofcourse support shelter, crisis at Christmas etc.
There are hostels in the cities but as someone has said, often people prefer to be alone or at least free to smoke, drink and have their dogs with them. Like prisons, the homeless hostels are populated by people with mental health problems.
I try to imagine what I would do if I were destitute. I think I'd die the first night from cold.

I offer to buy them food but don't give money. I point them to a local drop in centre where they will get help

Fennel, DS was sitting on a low wall in town with his two boys aged 4 and 2 at the time, waiting for us to join them for the annual Easter trail. An elderly couple passed by and dropped a pound in DGS’s Easter bag . I do hope it was just because they looked cute.

I donate to the Salvation Army as they do wondeful work with the homeless. Sometimes I will give to a man/woman on the streets, although we don't get many in this rural area, but I learned a lesson once, back in my Torquay days. I gave a few pounds to a man who looked genuine, but later saw him emerging from an off-licence clutching a 4-pack of lager.
So now I prefer to give to charities who help the homeless.

I often give cash to the apparently down and outs.
I had a funny experience last time I was in hospital. I had come down to sit outside and get some fresh air (apart from the smokers.) Sitting near me, in a wheelchair, was a very feeble looking man, with what I thought was a begging cup on the ground next to him. I had my purse with me, so as I left I dropped some coins into the cup. The man laughed - it was his cup of coffee and the wheelchair belonged to his Dad who was inside the hospital .

I know someone just like you Sparklefizz in real life ?

Gosh Sparklefizz how unfortunate you have been ?

Sadly there will always be people to take advantage which ruins it for those who are genuinely in need .... eg. Grenfell Tower frauds costing hundreds of thousands.

Ah, Monica, now you have me wondering.

Anja I go into Bath regularly, hence the contact I suppose.

40 years ago when there was less begging, I had just walked back home in the rain pushing my toddler daughter in the buggy (I walked everywhere bc had no car), and was just getting dry and sorting things out when there was a knock at the door, and a woman and toddler were standing on the doorstep soaked to the skin without coats on. She asked me if I had any clothes I could spare for her little girl.

I was horrified that the child was soaked and had no coat or warm clothes and asked her to come back in 10 minutes. I rushed upstairs to my daughter's room and stuffed half of her clothes into a bag and gave it to the woman, who then walked down the road and got into a car much newer than the old banger my husband drove!

He was furious when he came home and I told him because we were extremely hard up and there was no way we could afford to replace those clothes.

I think I've often been taken for a mug

We both have regular standing order donations to various charities but I usually give in the street as well (DH will only do so to registered charities). My view is that the person 'begging' needs that pound or two more than I do - I dont bother to find out if they are 'genuine' or not.

Sparklefizz I’m really amazed how much contact you have with the homeless comminuity and how much your gifts are abused or rejected ???