"Please be kind !"
"In bits shattered ,upside down ,
It's a hard struggle begging in my town.
Being homeless is scary and depressing,
Empty,lost,I'm constantly stressing.
Those that govern need to look after their own more,
Rather than give priority to those washed up on our shore !
Everyone deserves warmth and a bed,
I feel invisible,destined to be dead !
Posh lifestyles,sumptuous salaries and expenses our politicians greet,
Put more effort to get us homeless back on our feet !
Thankfully there are charities out there who understand our plight,
Voluntary beacons of hope who bring us some light.
I can't get any benefits because I have no home,
Shoplifting and begging around town I roam.
More and more of us on the street you will find,
You never know our story,please be kind !"
Graham Sherwood
Sun 12th Dec 2021 12:10
To add a little perspective to this issue. I live in Milton Keynes which has a significant homeless problem as do many towns. I worked for three winters in the 'night shelter' where each night MK's homeless (those who wanted help that is) would be divided up into groups of 15-20 and bussed to community centres, church halls, sports facilities and the like, where they could have a hot meal before bedtime, a hearty breakfast and be sent out with a packed lunch for the following day.
Work was always undertaken to convince/recommend to these people the benefits of joining 'the system' to become registered as people seriously trying to get off the streets.
I had many a conversation over meals to enquire what their motivations were to remain 'on the streets'. It is bewildering but many do not want to be saved.
Needless to say, in the summer/warmer weather, the numbers registered plummeted.