[DemolitionRed]

So Here’s what to do if you see a homeless person sleeping rough in the cold

Call Street Link which is open 24/7 on: 0300 5000914 and give them as much information as possible.

You can download the Street Link app https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/stre...ign-mpt=uo%3D4

People are genuinely sleeping rough and I'm sure we all agree, its dangerous in extreme temperatures.

[LeatherTrumpet]

Sorry but what are we meant to discuss?

Temperatures are distinctly average for this time of year

[DemolitionRed]

It snowing in a lot of places across the country.
We could discuss genuine homelessness and have other suggestions of help but I doubt you'd be interested in doing that.

[LeatherTrumpet]

Originally Posted by DemolitionRed

It snowing in a lot of places across the country.
We could discuss genuine homelessness and have other suggestions of help but I doubt you'd be interested in doing that.

yes we had (as did NI and NE) a few cms of snow that will be gone by 4pm, no worse that we have had at various times over the last 3 months

If you have a method of telling me who is genuinely homeless and who is "at it" then feel free

[arista]

"homeless person sleeping rough in the cold"

The ones on a scam do not want your number

[LeatherTrumpet]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...e-bed-man.html

[DemolitionRed]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

yes we had (as did NI and NE) a few cms of snow that will be gone by 4pm, no worse that we have had at various times over the last 3 months

If you have a method of telling me who is genuinely homeless and who is "at it" then feel free

Hypothermia can occur in weather temperatures as mild as 10C (50F) if they are also exposed to wind and rain. Our bodies don't need to lose a lot of heat to get hypothermia so sleeping on the ground outdoors is very dangerous at this time of year.

Someone who is seen to be sleeping under bridges (happens a lot in London) or in shop doorways in the early hours of the morning are very likely to be genuinely homeless. People generally won't sleep outside at this time of year unless they have no choice.

[DemolitionRed]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...e-bed-man.html

Yep, I thought you might be more interested in that sort of story because it confirms what you believe.

We will always get scammers but scammers don't make up the population of homeless people.

[Vanessa]

It's cold here in London as well

[LeatherTrumpet]

Originally Posted by DemolitionRed

Yep, I thought you might be more interested in that sort of story because it confirms what you believe.

We will always get scammers but scammers don't make up the population of homeless people.

what is the proportion of scammers and genuine?

[LeatherTrumpet]

Originally Posted by DemolitionRed

Hypothermia can occur in weather temperatures as mild as 10C (50F) if they are also exposed to wind and rain. Our bodies don't need to lose a lot of heat to get hypothermia so sleeping on the ground outdoors is very dangerous at this time of year.

Someone who is seen to be sleeping under bridges (happens a lot in London) or in shop doorways in the early hours of the morning are very likely to be genuinely homeless. People generally won't sleep outside at this time of year unless they have no choice.

So are you now saying that LOndon does not have facilities and organisations that help genuine homeless - I would imagine its one of the best cities in the whole world in this regard?

[Northern Monkey]

You can usually tell real homeless from the scammers.Real ones will look like ****.Filthy and will have a beard and manky clothes on.Scammers will only have stubble and fairly new trainers and clothes that are only slightly mucky.Always look at the facial hair trainers.

[parmnion]

let's hope they all have free wifi and are logged into TIBB.

[waterhog]

Originally Posted by DemolitionRed

So Here’s what to do if you see a homeless person sleeping rough in the cold

Call Street Link which is open 24/7 on: 0300 5000914 and give them as much information as possible.

You can download the Street Link app https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/stre...ign-mpt=uo%3D4

People are genuinely sleeping rough and I'm sure we all agree, its dangerous in extreme temperatures.

great post and great you gave a link to where people can go to help. thank you.

like you I have seen loads of scammers and with that guy on the news being prosecuted - well its proof begging is big business. £130 000 I think he was said to have deceived - I understand this might be a bit inflated but its not bad for a days work or no work as he would say.

like you say above - you can tell a real genuine homeless person.

[reece(:]

I don't trust the homeless on the street in my area, it was leaked that over 50% are fakes

[waterhog]

its a scam -

[Kizzy]

Recently got involved with a charity in Leeds they are independent and are committed to helping rough sleepers and addicts turn their lives around

http://simononthestreets.co.uk/

[Vicky.]

why help? When you can fine them a few hundred quid and tell them they are not allowed to sleep on pavements. That helps more..as the people just disappear then apparently.

[Toy Soldier]

Originally Posted by reece(:

I don't trust the homeless on the street in my area, it was leaked that over 50% are fakes

"Leaked"? By who?

[DemolitionRed]

Good for you Kizzy. There are some great charities around that more or less work around the clock for street people but homelessness is on the up and so these charities are being stretched to their limit.

The average life of a homeless man is around 45, younger for a woman. They are 9 times more likely to commit suicide than people living in secure accommodation. Beside the drug addicts and alcoholics and those who just find themselves in a financial crisis with no back up like parents or relatives, a high percentage of homeless people have mental health conditions or learning disabilities and have simply been let down by an understaffed system.

When my local churches around SE1 open their night shelters during December to March, (They put up around 20 Z-beds each) each church is immediately full to capacity and some people have to be turned away. Most churches in London do this for the coldest four months of the year and I have no idea how many churches there are in London but it goes to show just how massive a problem homelessness really is.

[Denver]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

"Leaked"? By who?

Daily Mail

[Toy Soldier]

Originally Posted by Adam.

Daily Mail

Oh, so more "made up" than "leaked", then.

[Suze]

I seem to acquire gloves and scarfs I really don't need come christmases and only the other day thinking of donating them to the Salvation Army to give to those who could use them. If we are in for a colder spell, then maybe now is a good time to do just that.

[DemolitionRed]

Originally Posted by waterhog

great post and great you gave a link to where people can go to help. thank you.

like you I have seen loads of scammers and with that guy on the news being prosecuted - well its proof begging is big business. £130 000 I think he was said to have deceived - I understand this might be a bit inflated but its not bad for a days work or no work as he would say.

like you say above - you can tell a real genuine homeless person.

Thank you Waterhog. Sometimes its easier not to care than care. The scammers have really caused a lot of problems for those who are genuinely homeless; people are less likely to believe a person really is destitute.

The truth is, homelessness is a silent killer. Very few people would choose to be homeless.

[DemolitionRed]

Originally Posted by Suze

I seem to acquire gloves and scarfs I really don't need come christmases and only the other day thinking of donating them to the Salvation Army to give to those who could use them. If we are in for a colder spell, then maybe now is a good time to do just that.

Go for it Suze.

Charity shops have made a lot of there clothes too pricey, though they do donate quilts, sheets and often blankets directly to the homeless shelters. The Sally Army are a really good group though but do make sure you tell them these things are for homeless people and not to be re-sold in a charity shop.