Indeed! Good luck with getting anyone from the government, especially the conservative government, to empathise with the homeless and vulnerable. In the run-up to the London Olympics, David Cameron was asked how many people he thought were sleeping rough in London. His answer? “I’ve been told it’s around 250” What hope can there be when the Prime Minister doesn’t even have a grasp as to the scale of the problem? That said, it happens here in Belgium too. Three years ago we had a really bad winter, and it was reported that a young homeless guy had frozen to death on a park bench because there were no beds available in the shelters. No one deserves to die like that.
I didn’t know that about Cameron answering 250! Mind you one of the initiation ceremonies of that awful club he belonged to (apart from the pig thing) was to burn a £50 in front of a homeless person. I have meant three homeless people that have died in the last year in Southampton. Two possible suicides the other was knifed for defending a couple of addicts from being evicted.
Horrific! Truly heartbreaking! Even more so given that the homeless are practically invisible. My sister lives in Portsmouth and there’s a guy who she often sees, and more often than not, she buys him a cup of tea and a sandwich or something. She’s a nurse, so knows a lot about compassion. On saying that though, she did say that although it was part of her oath to render assistance as and when needed, if she had to treat Cameron, she would do, but would neither be gentle nor warn him if something was likely to hurt! Go sis!
You never know what good this post will do. Some time ago, I included a photo of a homeless man and his dog in one of my posts. It was taken on Queen Street in Toronto by someone with the handle of Crows to Burnaby and posted to Flickr. The photo began making the rounds of the internet, just because it was so sad, and so touching, and everywhere it went, this comment eventually was made:
“This man is my son. His name is Noel Mathew Cowley. He is 29 & has been missing for almost 2 years now. We want him to know we love him & everyone is concerned about him & all want him home.”
I can’t find the report now, but eventually he was reunited with his family.
So heartbreaking. There was an old homeless man in the town where I grew up. I often wonder what happened to him (I’m sure he’ll have passed away by now, as I’m talking around 30+ years ago). I’d like to think he got the help he needed, even though I never saw him ask for help.
There are many homeless in New Zealand as well. Ridiculous that a country with a population of 4.5 million or thereabouts can’t manage to provide enough housing.
You know my views about homelessness. I have so many heartbreaking photographs of homeless people in Bristol. The numbers are swelling. Furthermore they are not (as someone recently suggested to me) all immigrants…a slightly baffling statement. Where ever they are from is slightly irrelevant; they are people who deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Props to SOL. Boo to Tory cuts.
SNIPS & SNAPS 
Heart wrenching. That big teddy bear makes it doubly sad.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I think he uses it as his pillow
LikeLiked by 1 person
Can you imagine him walking the streets and carrying that huge teddy? 😔
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. He does. I often make him toast and cups of hot chocolate when he is around my way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw, you are a darling. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just not right. Happens in the US too though. Always makes me wonder why I pay taxes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Britain once prided itself with having no homeless people unless they wanted to be.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Indeed! Good luck with getting anyone from the government, especially the conservative government, to empathise with the homeless and vulnerable. In the run-up to the London Olympics, David Cameron was asked how many people he thought were sleeping rough in London. His answer? “I’ve been told it’s around 250” What hope can there be when the Prime Minister doesn’t even have a grasp as to the scale of the problem? That said, it happens here in Belgium too. Three years ago we had a really bad winter, and it was reported that a young homeless guy had frozen to death on a park bench because there were no beds available in the shelters. No one deserves to die like that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I didn’t know that about Cameron answering 250! Mind you one of the initiation ceremonies of that awful club he belonged to (apart from the pig thing) was to burn a £50 in front of a homeless person. I have meant three homeless people that have died in the last year in Southampton. Two possible suicides the other was knifed for defending a couple of addicts from being evicted.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Horrific! Truly heartbreaking! Even more so given that the homeless are practically invisible. My sister lives in Portsmouth and there’s a guy who she often sees, and more often than not, she buys him a cup of tea and a sandwich or something. She’s a nurse, so knows a lot about compassion. On saying that though, she did say that although it was part of her oath to render assistance as and when needed, if she had to treat Cameron, she would do, but would neither be gentle nor warn him if something was likely to hurt! Go sis!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Portsmouth Council is even more intolerant to the homeless – so much so that many move to Southampton streets where the police are kinder.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A thoughtful response, and I’m with you. Our taxes are certainly not used to house the homeless.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You never know what good this post will do. Some time ago, I included a photo of a homeless man and his dog in one of my posts. It was taken on Queen Street in Toronto by someone with the handle of Crows to Burnaby and posted to Flickr. The photo began making the rounds of the internet, just because it was so sad, and so touching, and everywhere it went, this comment eventually was made:
“This man is my son. His name is Noel Mathew Cowley. He is 29 & has been missing for almost 2 years now. We want him to know we love him & everyone is concerned about him & all want him home.”
I can’t find the report now, but eventually he was reunited with his family.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That is so wonderful
LikeLike
Wow. What a story
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s wonderful isn’t it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
So heartbreaking. There was an old homeless man in the town where I grew up. I often wonder what happened to him (I’m sure he’ll have passed away by now, as I’m talking around 30+ years ago). I’d like to think he got the help he needed, even though I never saw him ask for help.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This pic speaks volumes. Cheers for Posting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There are many homeless in New Zealand as well. Ridiculous that a country with a population of 4.5 million or thereabouts can’t manage to provide enough housing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very sad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You know my views about homelessness. I have so many heartbreaking photographs of homeless people in Bristol. The numbers are swelling. Furthermore they are not (as someone recently suggested to me) all immigrants…a slightly baffling statement. Where ever they are from is slightly irrelevant; they are people who deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Props to SOL. Boo to Tory cuts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The ones in Southampton are nearly all British. Not making comments – just stating the facts
LikeLiked by 1 person
The same in Bristol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Both are big port cities in warm climes and both have Councils dominated by Labour. Thinking of things in common that could be linked.
LikeLiked by 1 person