New Year/New Beginning

Well it’s fair to say that last year was a bit of a rollercoaster. I won’t go into too many details but I was at the lowest I’ve ever been at the start. Months rolled round, friends were made and life, despite what you may think got better.

Although I’m still on the streets I’m now in a tent, Mr S. won’t sleep in it but we meet up morning and evenings for a coffee and a few smokes. I didn’t have a choice, if I had stayed at the bus stop and was disturbed while sleeping I would wake up quite defensively and people don’t like raised fists. Rather than risk frightening people or worse I thought best to stay out of the way.

I have met people on the street that have given me their last and asked nothing in return, I’ve also had strangers that I may never meet showing true compassion, concern and unbelievable generosity through social media. It’s all been a bit emotional and very humbling. There have been a few people helping me anonymously and I can’t thank them enough.  

I am currently working on something I really want to do and that’s raise awareness of those on the streets, regardless of their reasons for being there. I’m not going down the text book line of learning about people with addictions or the psychology or what puts people on the streets. My first plan is to sit and communicate with them at street level, learn about them and their lives. Hopefully I can build a trust with some of them and maybe document their lives and experiences. Then what I learn from them and already know from personal experience I can use to help others. I’ve gained a lot of knowledge about local services, charities and street life and I’m sure it will come in useful to others. I’ve had a great insight into people’s lives, people that I would never have come into contact with if my life hadn’t taken this turn. Being honest this whole chapter of my life has completely changed me. I would like to use this whole experience as a positive for myself and others.   

Hopefully this coming year I will find my feet and by the time next Christmas/winter comes around I can have a better support network in place for those on the streets. We need more day centres where people can come in, grab a brew and if they fall asleep in a chair well big deal. It needs to be there when other places are closed like weekends and holidays. If I can find like minded people and a suitable location I’d love it to be open every day but it’s a case of walk before I can run.

In order to achieve this I also have to make a living, hopefully the photography and a bit of writing will help me do this. If anyone has any other wonderful ideas for my income I’d really appreciate that. Man cannot live on Salvation Army free meals alone, even though I have for months.

Well as you all know I like to keep my blogs short and sweet. I would like to thank each and every one of you for reading for reading them, you’ve all helped me finish my year on a very positive note and given me motivation to push forward with my goals. To those of you that have donated to my GoFundme thanks for making it all possible. I know through Twitter, my blogs and the few I’ve had the chance to meet I have made some very special friends for life. If favours can ever be returned you have simply to ask.

As always, thanks for reading

Stay safe

Phil

Well what a week. The other night, freezing rain (literally) and a feels like temperature of minus six! Police pull up and as usual take our details. Then he begins to lecture us on sleeping in a public bus stop. The fact that it is a disused bus stop was irrelevant. Mr S. isn’t the greatest when it comes to authority figures and (quite rightly in my opinion) says “Have you got nothing better to do than hassle two old men that are just trying to get some sleep?” This obviously didn’t go down well with them. then Mr S. lights up a cigarette and one of the officer’s told him he wasn’t allowed to smoke in a public building. Needless to say this added even more tension. We were then told to sit up (both of us in our sleeping bags) so others can use the bench if they wished. I’ve never seen anyone ever use it other than a few kids in the summer having an illegal drink or crafty cigarette.

After I diplomatically explained that Mr S. has mental health issues they calmed down a bit but told us to put our bags to one side so there is free space. As they were leaving they suggested that we would be better off looking for somewhere else to sleep in future.

A tent has now been purchased and as a result we have become the most vulnerable of rough sleeper’s “The hidden Homeless”. Situations like this make people go into hiding in tents, temperatures drop, hypothermia kicks in and no one knows they are there. Fortunately for us we have decent outreach guys so we let them know where we will be if needed.

Yesterday I go for a hair cut well shave, and within minutes of being there the woman cutting my hair is referring to the homeless/rough sleepers as “Smack heads”, I bite my lip keep calm and say nothing. When finished I hold out my hand for the change completely ignore the Christmas tips jar and walk away, It was only £7.50 but it’s £7.50 I won’t be spending again in that place.

On a positive note it has made me more determined to raise awareness and help rough sleeper’s, maybe even pass on what little I know about addictions too.

As many of you may know I have a Go Fund Me page to help me buy a few things I need to help kick start this, and maybe make a living for myself at the same time. As I was a photographer in my previous life I’ve decided that I can use my skills to help raise awareness and hopefully help fellow rough sleepers.

My plan is to go out and connect with people on the street, spend some time with them and get a brief biog. Then every time I sell a print I will attach someones biog (with their permission) to the back and explain that a percentage of my profits are used to pay the guy to have his photo taken. There is also an artist that is willing to contribute his paintings to be used in the same way. Maybe in the future I’ll be able to offer a way for the buyer to sponsor that person or donate directly to them but that’s for future thought.

I set a target of £4000 mainly because people that were using the Go Fund Me site were using the same sort of figure for similar ventures. The equipment I need is a decent spec DSLR that can cope with the work load and weather conditions, A couple of reasonable lenses that can be used in low light. a laptop for editing and storage of the images. A good weatherproof camera bag and maybe a tripod/monopod. I’ve done my research and the second hand market has a lot of decent gear.

Once I have what I need and a few quid for running costs, I will close down the Go Fund Me page.

I have other people willing to help in other areas and I’m confident with combined efforts we can build a support network that maybe one day could be used elsewhere  other than just my local city.

My main issue has been that we have support/assistance from Monday to Friday but weekends it all disappears. First thing on a morning is a dangerous time when your body has been so cold through the night, this is when I would like to get out and supply at the minimum of a hot drink and something to eat for rough sleepers.

While I’m waffling, I really would like to thank you all for the support I’ve had, both personally and with my forthcoming venture. It means more than you know, considering where my head was a few months ago I’ve come a long way and it’s solely down to good people.

Thanks for reading folks

Phil

As I’ve mentioned Mr S. and myself in previous blogs I’m guessing you have a rough picture of us now. If not then please read earlier blogs so you have will have some background on Mr S.

Last Thursday I didn’t sleep in my usual area with Mr S. because my head decided I needed some alone time. Boy do I regret that now, massive guilt trip!

Mr S, a seventy year old man was attacked by four lads and all for about half a dozen cigarettes. He received quite heavy bruising to his forearms and ribs plus he had half a house brick thrown at him that fortunately missed.

Following that, naturally he didn’t want to remain in our usual bedding down spot. So the hunt was on for a new Des-res.

Good news is we found a roof with three walls and to add a bit of luxury it even has a wooden bench that we can both fit on. No more sleeping on cold cement floors YAY!!

It’s an old style brick built disused bus shelter, not like those new modern plastic things with a six inch gap at the bottom and angled micro bum rest that they try to pass off as a seat. Ours was built by craftsmen or women to be p.c.

It does however have one minor drawback, it’s right on a busy junction that’s controlled by traffic lights.  Every time the lights are at red we have ourselves an audience. From nice warm cars to full service buses we are their brief entertainment. Everyone has to have a look and nudge the person beside them because as we all know, rough sleepers are such a rare sight these days.

Despite the fact that we are a bit of a local spectacle, we are happy that we found somewhere that is far enough away from the city centre and should have less chance of any trouble.

I’ve got to be honest, I don’t know any rough sleepers that get a full night’s rest. As you get into your sleeping bag at night you have all the usual noise of the city, cars, sirens, alarms and of course people walking by.

Of all of these it’s people that are the biggest concern. So far I’ve had a minor kicking, my bag taken from me, someone trying to urinate on me (fortunately missed). I’ve had a bottle of beer tipped onto my sleeping bag, while he shouted “Have a drink on me” and a couple of his mates laughing, then the bottle thrown at the wall and glass scattering all over my bag and the ground around us.

Every time you hear footsteps you expect trouble. Then when you don’t hear anything you’re thinking is someone going to try and steal your stuff?

In almost every case when you do find somewhere to sleep you have to be awake early and pack you belongings away. Then it’s either a case of carrying them around all day or taking the risk of hiding them. If you hide them, then you are constantly thinking during the day if they will still be there when you get back at night? or has it been discovered and some idiot has wrecked them just for the sake of it?

When you get back, and your stuff is still there, you can guarantee at this time of year the insects, bugs or mice and rats have found them more comfortable than you do.

If you are lucky on a night then you might have found some insulation to go between the ground and your bag, wood or cardboard usually. If not, then it’s the cement!

In the early hours of the morning you feel the cold working it’s way up from beneath you, the icy frost from above and you can be assured no matter what position you sleep in that damn ice cold metal zip fastener will manage to touch your face.

During the winter months the things you sleep in are never dry!