There's an excellent charity in this area that takes hot food out every night along with clothes, sleeping bags, tents etc. They identify people with medical problems and also help people in temporary accommodation who've fled domestic violence etc. |
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be careful with some though as some are not homeless at all and scamming .. this is rife in swindon ... I went to give a guy some money and the prick tried snatching my handbag off me telling me I was tight with a colourful range of words
Another time me and my housemate gave a guy some hot food from Greggs/tea and he just threw it on the floor and said he wants money not food ..
I feel sorry sort of for the genuine homeless ones but all towns/cities have facilities in place they can outreach to and speak with to get off the street .. its very hard to determine whom is actually genuine .
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"be careful with some though as some are not homeless at all and scamming .. this is rife in swindon ... I went to give a guy some money and the prick tried snatching my handbag off me telling me I was tight with a colourful range of words
Another time me and my housemate gave a guy some hot food from Greggs/tea and he just threw it on the floor and said he wants money not food ..
I feel sorry sort of for the genuine homeless ones but all towns/cities have facilities in place they can outreach to and speak with to get off the street .. its very hard to determine whom is actually genuine .
"
Very few are scamming. Most need support and kindness. |
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In Manchester if I go into Greggs and someone is outside I’ll ask if they want anything. Must admit most of the time they’ll ask for the money.
However I find that first thing in the morning it’ll be different and a sandwich/ drink is requested. |
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It's such a shame to have so many homekess people though I appreciate that there are lots of causes of homelessness and as many reasons why some remain homeless. However, as others said, must be absolutely dreadful to be out there at the best of times, never mind in these conditions whatever the reasons and hope everyone stays safe and well. I have for many years and continue to help in my own very small way whenever possible as everyone who can should. |
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By *os19Man
over a year ago
Edmonton |
In my part of North London there seems to be a lot of Eastern European’s who speak little or no English there have been reports that they are dropped off and picked up at various areas and are part of gangs to trick people into giving money as well as reports of pick pocketing by a second person.If I see someone who I feel is homeless I tend to buy them a meal deal from the supermarket as opposed to giving money. |
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"In my part of North London there seems to be a lot of Eastern European’s who speak little or no English there have been reports that they are dropped off and picked up at various areas and are part of gangs to trick people into giving money as well as reports of pick pocketing by a second person.If I see someone who I feel is homeless I tend to buy them a meal deal from the supermarket as opposed to giving money."
I don't doubt it. I know my local big issue seller is dropped off and given his dog before taking up his spot.
But...theres plenty of folks sleeping rough in the cold. |
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"be careful with some though as some are not homeless at all and scamming .. this is rife in swindon ... I went to give a guy some money and the prick tried snatching my handbag off me telling me I was tight with a colourful range of words
Another time me and my housemate gave a guy some hot food from Greggs/tea and he just threw it on the floor and said he wants money not food ..
I feel sorry sort of for the genuine homeless ones but all towns/cities have facilities in place they can outreach to and speak with to get off the street .. its very hard to determine whom is actually genuine .
"
There's two sisters in Edinburgh that literally change clothes and positions with each other every now and then and not to mention endless amount of junkies its literally hard to tell who needs help these days but however it's obvious with some I try to help if I can if they look genuine and yeah I get shouldn't make assumptions but when you see people changing from good clothes into scruffy stuff then walking into a shop they have a partner who own it makes it obvious |
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By *os19Man
over a year ago
Edmonton |
"In my part of North London there seems to be a lot of Eastern European’s who speak little or no English there have been reports that they are dropped off and picked up at various areas and are part of gangs to trick people into giving money as well as reports of pick pocketing by a second person.If I see someone who I feel is homeless I tend to buy them a meal deal from the supermarket as opposed to giving money.
I don't doubt it. I know my local big issue seller is dropped off and given his dog before taking up his spot.
But...theres plenty of folks sleeping rough in the cold. "
. I appreciate there are plenty of people sleeping rough but there seems to be more scammers especially in my part of North London.It’s one of the reasons I prefer to just donate to the food bank as you need to be referred to a food bank thereby reducing the scammers. |
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"In Manchester if I go into Greggs and someone is outside I’ll ask if they want anything. Must admit most of the time they’ll ask for the money.
However I find that first thing in the morning it’ll be different and a sandwich/ drink is requested. "
never give them money is what I earned over the years , they most of time piss it up on drugs/smokes/booze .. buy them food/normal drinks . something that will actually benefit them by keeping them alive ..
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"There’s so many in Norwich. Either way I know I wouldn’t want to be out there in this weather. It’s sad to see"
Slightly controversial but Did you know a vast majority you see sitting about in Norwich do actually have their own homes , some can earn in the excess of £150 a day ( fact) . But the genuine ones do receive help |
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"I tend to help the women and then old guys first, it's not right they should be out there."
It's not right anyone should be out there. Mind, there's a guy near me who sits outside the local bakery or Co op everyday someone took him in during the last really cold snap - he fleeced them and the people who'd put into the Go fund me set up for him. I'll always get someone food but am wary of giving money now |
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I give food and money, I couldn't give a toss what they spend it on if a special brew helps them through the night so what , there's a lot of reasons people have ended up there and have addictions they can't handle most deeply unpleasant, I don't for a minute think it's going into a high yield savings account! |
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"In Manchester if I go into Greggs and someone is outside I’ll ask if they want anything. Must admit most of the time they’ll ask for the money.
However I find that first thing in the morning it’ll be different and a sandwich/ drink is requested.
never give them money is what I earned over the years , they most of time piss it up on drugs/smokes/booze .. buy them food/normal drinks . something that will actually benefit them by keeping them alive ..
"
My job involves work with homeless daily. Personally, I won't pass cash as I feel that I could be contributing to the heroin/crack/alcohol that kills them. Sadly, mental health, substance, and trauma go hand in hand with homelessness. And to be honest, I'd probably want to get smashed every day if that's all my life was.
Give a smile, something to eat or a warm drink. You may get attitude sadly but you're doing the right thing.
As for professional beggars, local police soon wise up to them and will apply pressure. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"In Manchester if I go into Greggs and someone is outside I’ll ask if they want anything. Must admit most of the time they’ll ask for the money.
However I find that first thing in the morning it’ll be different and a sandwich/ drink is requested.
never give them money is what I earned over the years , they most of time piss it up on drugs/smokes/booze .. buy them food/normal drinks . something that will actually benefit them by keeping them alive ..
My job involves work with homeless daily. Personally, I won't pass cash as I feel that I could be contributing to the heroin/crack/alcohol that kills them. Sadly, mental health, substance, and trauma go hand in hand with homelessness. And to be honest, I'd probably want to get smashed every day if that's all my life was.
Give a smile, something to eat or a warm drink. You may get attitude sadly but you're doing the right thing.
As for professional beggars, local police soon wise up to them and will apply pressure."
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Unfortunately not all on the streets are homeless, some are scammers.
I tend to help were I can via charities now rather than give money directly.
I do offer food and drink although this is often turned down and cash is requested which then makes me suspicious that they are not as badly off as they suggest.
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I give if I want to.
I work on the principle that all are genuine.
If I give to an ingenuine I find this is better than not giving to a genuine so it is easier to give to all.
Besides..... who is going to sit outside all day in the cold for 12 sausage rolls an hour |
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"In Manchester if I go into Greggs and someone is outside I’ll ask if they want anything. Must admit most of the time they’ll ask for the money.
However I find that first thing in the morning it’ll be different and a sandwich/ drink is requested.
never give them money is what I earned over the years , they most of time piss it up on drugs/smokes/booze .. buy them food/normal drinks . something that will actually benefit them by keeping them alive ..
My job involves work with homeless daily. Personally, I won't pass cash as I feel that I could be contributing to the heroin/crack/alcohol that kills them. Sadly, mental health, substance, and trauma go hand in hand with homelessness. And to be honest, I'd probably want to get smashed every day if that's all my life was.
Give a smile, something to eat or a warm drink. You may get attitude sadly but you're doing the right thing.
As for professional beggars, local police soon wise up to them and will apply pressure."
I was a Samaritan in Manchester City Centre for a few years about a decade ago. We had a different office then to the one that is there now. That office had a room in which you could do face to face listening and we often had the homeless come in.
I’ve never forgotten one of those stories that was told to me by a very broken person.
We as volunteers would always make anyone who came in a hot drink and offer biscuits. And I can honestly say some of the nicest and most empathetic people I’ve ever met were homeless, truly thankful for the service we provided. It’s why I’ll always offer, just like we did in the sams, some food and a drink, but I must admit I have given a few quid in my time to someone who I think is genuine. I could be using my experience of the homeless to see that person as genuine or could be ripped off, but if I get it right occasionally I’ll be satisfied I did the right thing.  |
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By *amantMan
over a year ago
Alnmouth |
I remember new years day 2019, I walked through Newcastle mid morning and post-hangover with my then girlfriend. I was stunned by the amount of homeless people we saw as we walked through the city. I'll never forget it, it was ghastly. She was a Chinese student and she was curious as to why it was as bad as it was. I had nothing to offer beyond a disgusting lack of social housing and chronic political indifference or incompetence. The shame I felt was twinned with almost embarrassment. She loved Newcastle but I realised then she'd never stay. The tankie oddballs who sometimes hang around the monument aren't a patch on the shocking reality of our housing crisis. |
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"In Manchester if I go into Greggs and someone is outside I’ll ask if they want anything. Must admit most of the time they’ll ask for the money.
However I find that first thing in the morning it’ll be different and a sandwich/ drink is requested.
never give them money is what I earned over the years , they most of time piss it up on drugs/smokes/booze .. buy them food/normal drinks . something that will actually benefit them by keeping them alive ..
My job involves work with homeless daily. Personally, I won't pass cash as I feel that I could be contributing to the heroin/crack/alcohol that kills them. Sadly, mental health, substance, and trauma go hand in hand with homelessness. And to be honest, I'd probably want to get smashed every day if that's all my life was.
Give a smile, something to eat or a warm drink. You may get attitude sadly but you're doing the right thing.
As for professional beggars, local police soon wise up to them and will apply pressure.
I was a Samaritan in Manchester City Centre for a few years about a decade ago. We had a different office then to the one that is there now. That office had a room in which you could do face to face listening and we often had the homeless come in.
I’ve never forgotten one of those stories that was told to me by a very broken person.
We as volunteers would always make anyone who came in a hot drink and offer biscuits. And I can honestly say some of the nicest and most empathetic people I’ve ever met were homeless, truly thankful for the service we provided. It’s why I’ll always offer, just like we did in the sams, some food and a drink, but I must admit I have given a few quid in my time to someone who I think is genuine. I could be using my experience of the homeless to see that person as genuine or could be ripped off, but if I get it right occasionally I’ll be satisfied I did the right thing. "
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