Homeless At Christmas 40
Homeless at
Christmas
Like most towns and cities in the UK, Canterbury has rough sleepers. In a small city it’s a very visual reminder that when people find themselves without a home, they can end up in shop doorways, public parks or tucked away in a tent. We often hear people ask ‘why are there still people homeless in this day and age?’ and ‘why don’t the council sort this out?’ Rough sleeping is a complex issue. It often involves a long back-story which may include family problems, relationship breakups, job loss, drug and alcohol misuse, mental health problems or trauma. It’s unrealistic to believe that by simply putting a roof over someone’s head, their other problems will go away. Canterbury City Council has helped and rehomed many rough sleepers, but some end up back on the streets in a cycle of complicated and challenging situations. For some, their ‘family’ is the network of other rough sleepers, and they may feel isolated or unhappy when in housing. If a rough sleeper refuses to engage with outreach workers, they cannot be forced to receive help or housing. Some simply wish to be left alone (and it’s not illegal to sleep on the street, so often the police are unable to help).
Main Image: © Herringbone and Catching Lives
Fortunately, Canterbury has two amazing charities who do outreach work with rough sleepers and homeless people and try to offer a more long-term approach to help them to solve some of their problems, allowing them to stabilise and improve their lives and eventually find permanent housing and employment. They can sign-post help to addiction services, to financial support, education and jobs or they can simply support them in their immediate need until they are ready to seek help.
