Dying of cold

I agree, there but for chance/the grace of god go any one of us.

Oh, I haven't seen that one, Iam. Fancy that - homelessness shelters encouraging homeless people! It never ceases to amaze me that many people can't imagine how they would feel if they found themselves homeless.

whenim64 - no it isn't the one in Walken, its a custom built new one in our town. The building also facilitates contact for families. There was some opposition inevitably, on the basis it would encourage more homeless people but it's been up and running for several years now.

That's an excellent idea, to use little/unused churches and public buildings to provide shelter for the homeless and destitute on an emergency basis.

Isn't this the obvious situation for little used public and church buildings to be put to use helping the homeless and destitute with emergency accommodation? Many councils have a policy of visiting a sleeping site within 24 hours, preferably overnight so that rough sleepers can be offered help quickly. Rather than complaining, the person who made it their business to stop food being given could notify the council of the location of a rough sleeper on the street who needed food, warmth and shelter.

armamai one of the problems we've identified is that because people who are street sleepers often have very complex social issues; addictions, mental health issues etc. they don't actually want to be sleeping in the same place as other homeless people. Many hostels have problems dealing with the erratic and often anti-social behaviours of the residents and therefore they are not always 'safe havens'. Churches have to have insurance before offering accommodation, but also enough space and volunteers to ensure that the provision is both safe and appropriate to the needs of the users; not an easy task.

www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Vicar-s-despair-ban-charity-serving-hot-food/story-26177292-detail/story.html

Hi ga, apart from permanent shelters set up by different groups, i notice that some churches are allowing homeless people to sleep over night with the help of volunteers.

I do find the situation in Hull a further indicator (if one was needed) of how the vulnerable in our society are being more and more marginalised. I genuinely am at a loss as to the motivation of the member of the public who complained. If this was a company/a business, who were charging for the food, okay - I get it. But these are people of goodwill who are giving up their time and their resources to help those who otherwise have slipped through the net.
In contrast our project is developing very well with a groundswell of support from the townspeople and the local council response has been admirable. Many street sleepers are fearful of engaging with housing professionals and lack capacity to make appointments and form-fill. A member of our local housing team, in recognition of this, has actually left the council offices and engaged with one of our street sleepers on her park bench. A wonderful, and previously unimaginable, response.

I worked with homeless people for a few years ga. The nightly soup run was always a welcome sight, bringing hot soup and other food and a supply of blankets, socks, gloves and hats for those whose clothes were damp or in need of replacement. Is there anyone willing to offer access to an outbuilding, garage or shed when necessary? It sounds like your community might be able to give some help, having experienced such a tragedy.

Iam64 I used to visit the Walkden Salvation Army hostel you refer to and I've never seen so many men hovering around outside - they couldn't use the dormitories until nightime then. I hope it's changed. The majority were mentally ill, alcoholic and in such despair.

It beggars belief, Durhamjen. Talk about kicking people when they are already down. All those concerned should be ashamed of themselves.

Our town has a Salvation Army hostel but of course some rough sleepers can't cope with being inside. There's a soup van and a needle exchange in the bit of town where it's most needed. It is very cold here today, it's dreadful to think of vulnerable people sleeping rough. There's also a community group aimed at supporting rough sleepers. We had a very vulnerable young couple living in a tent in the park last year. People did help with food and the community policeman put them in touch with various agencies. They were eventually housed.

Best of luck with your project granny activist.

Had a homless man near us, he was sleeping in a shop doorway and some yobs beat him up and he ended in hospital but it turned out he had family and they all came round so maybe he is with them now.

I am not familiar with the law but I suspect that if you are giving away food rather than selling it, so long as it isn't harmful, then I don't think there is a law under which you can be prosecuted.

Hull city council dont even appear to be helping to solve the problem.

Yes, hilda, I did wonder who that member of the public was. Probably anonymous so not able to find out under FOI.

A member of the public complained! That says it all. I hope this person can sleep at night. Well done to the outreach people for trying to find alternative cooking facilities, I hope they achieve their goal.

I am speechless Jen.

Can anyone beat this in their area?

www.hulldailymail.co.uk/8216-Stop-feeding-homeless-hot-food-8217-s/story-26163154-detail/story.html

Can't even give them sandwiches!

Glad it is going well grannyactivist. And glad that you live in a town like that.
Team effort can be a great thing.

Not necessarily, grannyactivist. In Hull there has been a sleepeasy of kids at college to raise money for the homeless, and a 22 year old has backpacked round the world and put the money he saved, £13,000 into a youth hostel.

www.hulldailymail.co.uk/pictures/Pictures-Sleepeasy-event-Wilberforce-college/pictures-25953746-detail/pictures.html

An update for those who are interested. I had meetings yesterday with several people who have expressed concern about vulnerable people in the town (the homeless and others) and we have a joint meeting tomorrow after a memorial service for the man who died. So far there have been some very useful responses from people wanting to be involved who have valuable skills and expertise. I'm so glad I live in a town that has great community spirit. (And which, incidentally, has a higher than usual proportion of older people - could the two be connected?).

Link to the site, vampire.

www.hullharp.org.uk/

Grannyactivist - that's a great story about the barrister allowing a homeless person to live in his porch for two years. When I was a child my mum had a tramp who used to call on her once a year. He spent the year travelling around England and my mum was a regular stop for hot water for a shave. She always offered him food and drink as well but he would never accept it.

I don't have the same contacts any more. I hope it has reopened.

Harp do a wonderful job here in Southend. So much so that they have opened a new shelter.
One night a week our local church gives an evening meal, a bed, then breakfast for 30 people.