Homeless reflections

I had been wanting for some time to compile my main blog postings concerning homelessness. In recent years working with and for the homeless has been my main community activity, the scene of which is set out in my book “Outside the Camp”. Approaching fifteen years ago I became a lot more aware of folk sleeping rough around our local High Street, when going out with Street Pastors. I got to know some of them and built up rapport. I realized the situation each was in was complex and unique, and it seemed the “system” was often weighted against them getting the help they needed and that many who were homeless were disempowered and they faced barriers preventing them from getting off the streets. Many of these were single adults 20-50, mainly men but increasingly women and often they were not able to get the help they needed. This led to my being involved setting up Southend Homeless Action Network (SHAN) and later with the church winter night shelter program and the Street Spirit soup kitchen, among other involvements. During the time since I started to blog (five years ago), I have posted several times on the subject of homelessness and am yet to run out of things to talk about. It is a blight on our community and a national disgrace, and it is a lot closer to home than is often realized.

The reality is anyone of us can become homeless should our circumstances etc. change, but most are oblivious of this until it happens. It is also on the increase. It never ceases to amaze me the different types that do end up on the streets and how every individual has there own way, sometimes unsatisfactory, of dealing with their situation. Homelessnes raises all sorts of emotions ranging from nimbyism to righteous indignation, from apathy to wanting to help. In responding, it brings out the best and worst in the human condition. It can be frustrating to think our supposedly civilized society is also a broken one and is full of injustices and gaps that allow triggers for and effects of homelessness to go unchecked. Many look upon homelessness with consternation that in this day and supposedly enlightened age this is actually on the increase. Some ignore the problem and others genuinely ask what they can do to help. For those who want to do something about it, one will often encounter bad among those with an interest, whether those who claim to be homeless (not all who do so are genuine) with their manipulative and anti-social tendencies or those tasked to deal with the effects of homelessness yet avoid doing much that is meaningful to help or those adversely effected by homelessness e.g. businesses fearful the homeless will affect custom seek to drive them away.

Amidst bad tendencies there are good ones. Some of the nicest people I know are homeless and I have seen countless acts of kindness by those seeking to help. Realistically, what we can do to help may be limited but we can all do something, starting with affirming the humanity of all and being kind. I tend to focus on the things I can do and now I am an old hand spend time encouraging others and providing pastoral care to the homeless themselves. But there is always room for those with a “can do” and “do do” attitude as well as those who campaign to improve the lot of the homeless. I have met many amazing people in my homeless journey (including those on the streets and those who volunteer to help) and these have inspired me to hang in there, knowing we can make a difference. I hope the insights I offer here will prove helpful and encourage folk to make a difference. One thing is sure; a lot still needs doing.

Book 1: Last updated 06/03/20