My first formal employment in UK was as Lifestyle Officer at National Heart Research Fund (now Heart Research UK) under Mrs Ros Jenkins. I was employed to establish a Lifestyle department for the heart charity. I did lay the foundation over a two-year period and I got to know a thing or two about cardiovascular health and lifestyle. My desk at the Joseph’s Well complex, Leeds overlooked the Inner Ring Road. For many weeks, I saw workers at a building site toiling all day and there was nothing to show for it. One day, I noticed the walls of a building emerge which rapidly went up several floors and I realised that the (wo)men had been working on the foundation all that time. That building is the Nuffield Hospital Leeds, an enduring reminder for me that a solid foundation is not built overnight, neither will solving the wicked problem of homelessness in the United Kingdom.
Not long ago, we read the now famous words, “We cannot allow our streets to be taken over by rows of tents occupied by people, many of them from abroad, living on the streets as a lifestyle choice.” There was cross-party righteous indignation. The public response was Homelessness is not a lifestyle choice!
Last night, I was determined to go to bed early. I made the infinitesimal mistake of taking a final look on WhasApp at my Practice Chat group:
CG: The gentleman in the tent outside Westfield has been on mind popping up recently. Can we not do anything as a practice to help? Small collection/ food shop/ leaflet with services. I can’t settle knowing Xmas is coming up and it is going to freeze and he is outside in a tent no heating. I’m sure others have felt this way too when passing by.
AH: I’ve never seen him but I got a lift home from Westfield on Monday night and noticed a red tent by the traffic light. I think it’s a good idea to try and help. Have a word with a security chap at The Reginald Centre or a Receptionist to get background information. Perhaps speak to the man himself, have a word with a homeless charity or local community organisation, etc before deciding on a specific plan
CG: Thank you for responding. I will speak to him and find out some more information.
AM: I’m definitely up for it…he must be freezing out there now. Very thoughtful of you; if you would like to try and get some background info tomoz i am more than happy to help xx
MT: There’s a charity you can refer them to, I’ll find out the name
CG: Depends on immigration status etc. I have seen a few in Chapeltown recently that can’t reach out to typical services because illegal immigrant status as end up in area as St Aidan’s has a soup kitchen. They are scared to reach out and if 10beds for night 30 arrive. It would be really nice to at least try and raise £80 – £100 for a mobile solar panel and electric blanket, bit of water and emergency food. Too many die when it ices over. Actually, adult elders next door, if any left over we could call them as they feed older population in Chapeltown.
LM: We could let Becky from Homeless Street Angels know he’s there. They’re on Facebook and often help individuals out as well as doing an outreach service in City Centre at night. X
CG: Can you do that through Facebook? I’m so glad everyone feeling the same. Just feels awful.
DS: We could all definitely get some food together for him, lovely idea
LM: It just seems ironic that he’s sleeping right outside the entrance to the place that should be able to offer all the housing and benefits advice/social support that he needs 😞
AH: Perhaps he’s been. We may have paradigm shift when we’ve made enquiries. As it is with our patients, some refuse help and we use the familiar phrases – compos menti … has capacity, etc. Let’s do our bit. Perhaps we should do a practice fundraising for Christmas for Homeless Street Angels and the Partners can double whatever we raise. I chair the Board of a church and I’ll propensure we give £250 in donations from that list to them.
CG: This is amazing! I’m so proud to work for you. I just don’t think in Chapeltown we should ever see some one freeze xxx
AH: No one should freeze in our City or anywhere really! To take it a step further, I’ve had a look at their website and there’s a donation page. I’m going to write a blog tonight (any excuse to stay up late though I’m already in bed)! I’ll quote y’all verbatim without mentioning names, say a thing or two about the fundraising and ask people to donate to them using their page. We’ll do our bit and G. will coordinate and decide last day for donations then we purchase items and present to them 1st December?
CG: This is really amazing, thank you so much H. and G. xx
IS: Good stuff folks. Just my two cents from homeless peeps I’ve known in the past, simply a bit of a chinwag can be a good bit of normality among often chaotic lives. I thought the red tent was abandoned, been looking out for signs of activity. Anyone met them? Not to suggest that chats are on par with food and shelter.. but for when yev got ney coin in yer pockets.
CG: When I went past on Friday it was full of sleeping bags and bedding. Who has said it was abandoned ? And talking won’t feed them if still there? Let’s stick to plan and chat to security guy and find out
IS: Just my assumption having not seen anyone comin or going. (Just to be totally clear, i think The Plan sounds great lol)
GR: I will catch Mark for an update in the morning and send info as we have it 🤞🏻 we can help them 🥰
SD: I thought it was abandoned for the last couple of weeks, the zip has been open when I drive by.
AH: Interesting conversations everyone! New dimension – indeed it might be an abandoned tent. We’re looking at the individual (possible tent occupant) and the wickedly big picture of homelessness, to do our wee bit. I’ve just returned from a quick drive out😅
GR: The first video it appears someone is inside the picture say different 🤯
AH: 🤞 it’s not occupied but we’ll confirm, still do something for the award winning Homeless Street Angels
GR: Absolutely
MT: It’s Simon on the street charity
AH: 🤔That’s a second one then
MT: My son volunteers for hidden homeless soup kitchen on a Wednesday night too.
Video worth watching … please 😉
Please join us and donate to Homeless Street Angels here: https://homelessstreetangels.co.uk/donate/
WHAT is homelessness? It is living without a primary nightime residence.
- Rough sleeping: The one we see, most dangerous with high risk of trauma, mental health problems and drug misuse.
- Statutory homelessness: People for whom local authorities have a duty to provide accommodation
- Hidden homelessness: People who are homeless but do not seek help or are not entitled to it. Many stay in hostels, squats or B&Bs, in overcrowded accommodation or ‘concealed’ housing, such as the floors or sofas of friends and family.
WHY are people homeless?
- Socioeconomic reasons: House prices, cost of rent, poverty, unemployment, war, Covid-19, leaving prison or care, army discharge, domestic violence, divorce, substance misuse… life happens!
- Physical and Mental Heath reasons: Multiple Long Term Conditions and their complications can force people out of work prematurely causing economic instability which can lead to homelessness. People with mental health problems may struggle to manage their homes, work and finances and become homeless. Homelessness then worsens their physical and mental health. The average age of death for people experiencing homelessness is 45 for men and 43 for women.
- Government policies: Rising homelessness is always the result of failed policies
WHO gets homeless?
According to data from 2020 in USA, Pacific Islanders, Native Americans, and black people all experienced a rate of homelessness that exceeded the overall national rate. The majority of people sleeping rough in England are male, aged over 26 years old and from the UK. Men who are living on the street outnumber women at a ratio of six to one, though homeless women are less visible than men.
HOW is homelessness addressed?
These are very powerful words: It is always the responsibility of the national government and the failure of its policy if homelessness is growing. Simply because the government has the power and the tools to both prevent homelessness and to help people out of homelessness, if there is the will to do it.
- Prevention Strategies: An unstable living environment leads to homelessness. A stitch in time saves nine so identifying people in such circumstances and supporting / guiding them away from homelessness and towards stability is one approach
- Addressing the problems which result in evictions from rental accommodation
- Ensuring people receiving benefits can afford to pay rent
- Building affordable housing is crucial as a lack of affordable and supported accommodation is a chief cause of homelessness in each nation.
- Housing First – helping people off the streets (tackling their physical, mental and/or substance abuse problems) and supporting then into housing.
Ultimately, healthy public policy and city or country-wide intersectoral joined-up approaches and reducing the social gap in the country will result in reduced homelessness which indeed is NOT a lifestyle choice. Trust me, I am a GP and our Team has a plan to change the world – one person at a time!
Dr Abiye Hector-Goma is Senior Partner at Allerton & Westfield Medical Centres, Leeds, UK. Please join us and donate to Homeless Street Angels – https://homelessstreetangels.co.uk/donate/
