General Chat

Mary, it is a lovely thing you have done for this young man. Bless you. The benifit system stinks, it leaves people without nmoney for weeks, it happens all the time to our residents at the centre, i am forever on the phone to them. For 5 weeks i was providing a 16yr old girl with food as she had no money, if i hadn't she wouldn't have eaten. S services didn't want to know, if she had been 15 they might. Its all so wrong. I wish our centre was bigger, but at least we have managed to keep it going for over 13yrs. There sure are a lot of lovely people on this board. and there kindness will not go unnoticed. Shirley Ann.

I agree with you on that......there are far too many empty houses that could be used even if only temporary. Our council did once buy a very large victorian house and convert it into flats for short stay homeless people but when I had a young girl of 17 in that situation they told me she was not vunerable enough. Had she been elderly or had a baby it would have been a different tale. Needless to say the council later sold the property and no doubt made a packet. So little is done for these people and unfortunately there are too many folk who feel its 'nothing to do with them' I'll stop now before I depress myself and everyone else. I can only wish all these folks a very happy christmas and all you lot for being so kind and caring. Lets hope 2006 sees some action in this area.

Mary I really think you could not do anymore for the young man in your loving home this Christmas. And incase he doesn't or can't say a BIG thank-you I will for him. Fortunately I don't know personally anybody on the streets, BUT I do know they are out there and PC is stopping help getting to them. Why when helpers are given 'space blankets' by one local group,are they advised by their bosses that to give them to the homeless only helps to keep them on the streets and not to better themselves!!! It's true. Surely a blanket that stops somebody getting hypothermia on freezing nights, like we have had recently, should be used not retained. Why do some towns not have night shelters especially at Christmas? And why when hostels have spaces can they not fill those beds, even on a short term temporary basis, and the knowledge that it's only for a set time. And councils still have empty houses -- even though there are less now, that could be used as temporary accomodation,surely. Frusration spent now I hope. Thanks for reading this. Regards to all and have a Wonderful Christmas. Linda

This thread has really lifted my soul......what a brilliant bunch you are. I'm a foster carer and a young lad who left us a year ago is now homeless....or would be if we hadn't taken him back in. He's been here three weeks now and as far as I'm concerned he can stay for as long as it takes to find a flat of his own and I'll do my level best to help him...........but not until I've made sure he's had a good Christmas with us. He's only just got money through from JSA after a 8 week wait............how are people supposed to survive ? No crisis loan for him they said as his claim was being 'processed'. Of course, when he moved in with us the change of address meant a whole new claim so he had to start all over again. But for now at least I know he's safe and warm and with people who care. I could not turn my back on him and he's not the first I've taken in (though under different circumstances. I always like to think that if either of my sons were in a position of being without a home someone somewhere would do the right thing. It really is a case of 'there but for the grace of god go me or mine' God bless you all and keep up the good work.....not just at Christmas/......always

Thats brilliant Linda, and i bet you feel really great for doing it, i know i always do. thank you so much for making the effort. Shirley Ann.

My parcels have just gone off to the homeless, care of my daughter and her friend. Daughter was surprised the parcels were big and asked where I had got all the boxes from. I also gave them each a longlife carrier bag -- I figured they wouldn't be able to carry boxes around for ever and the thicker bags should last them a while. Also found there is a refuge for women and children that would probably be delighted with the new soft toys I have been keeping(for what?) and give them out at all times of the year to little ones who come in with nothing. Regards to all and thanks for reading this Linda

Your very welcome Tina, it is wonderful that so many people have done something to help this year, their kindness will not go unnoticed by those who needed it most. EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS SOMEONE. Shirley Ann

this has given me food for thought. will see what i can come up with, thanks, tina x

Nudged to remind us .

Linda, every little thing helps some one , you do well. you are right when you say It must be so terrible for people on the streets at this time of the year, it is so cold. I could cry when i see them huddled in doorways. Life can be so unfair , some folk have so much and others so little. Shirley Ann.

Not long now, so spare a thought.

THANKS EVERYONE FOR DOING YOUR BIT. you really do help by all the things you do, however small it will make someones day just a little bit better. Shiley Ann.

Yes Maisy.....our hearts are with you Shirley XXXX

Nudging for you Shirley........ look after yourself pleeeeeease .... love Maisie xx I

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL YOU LOVELY KIND PEOPLE. With people like you it makes life i little better for some of the less fortunate. Thank you all. Shirley Ann.

Nudging this up.... Catch you later Shirley. Love Maisie xx

Annie, that is brilliant, well done you. I would love to hear how it all goes. Shirley Ann.

Well done Maisie for sending the gifts and to everyone else you have gave some person help and to you Shirley as there is not many people in this world who would put them selves out for people

nudged because i can

Jean Joy, yes they certainly do make you cry, i shed many a tear over some of the cases that come into our centre, but in most of our cases they do get rehoused from the centre. Men are not treated with such compassion im afraid, males 18 and over rarely get put into our place unless they have dependants with them, or are with a family ,single males are meant to beable to fend for themselves, but with no money and job they can't get rented accomadation, and with out an address they can't get a job. there seems to be no help for them at all, and i think that is dreadful. What you did for those lads was a lovely thing to do, i bet you felt great when you saw them wearing those trainers. Annie, its about time the local council opened a proper centre in your area for these poor people. maybe if people make enough noise about it they will do something about it. its dredful that they are kicked out at night when thats the time of day they need to be inside, it amazes me. MASIE, you do so much, this is the lovely lady who sent me lots of pressies and her friends Claire and Andrea for my residents for xmas, that i mentioned earlier on this thread. I received another box this morning, you are an Angel, and although we have never met, i am very proud to know you. Shirley Ann.