When welfare benefits get cut and social services no longer get funding, one thing’s absolutely sure to follow: more people living out on the streets.
Here are the things you can do to make life easier for homeless people, or to rail against the very fact of homelessness.
Click any of the images to see them at a larger size.
BUILD A WALL OF KINDNESS
While Donald Trump was first talking about his divisive wall, the concept of a “Wall of Kindness” was blossoming in Iran.
Stretches of wall are painted and furnished with pegs. Then, people hang clothes, food and and goods that they no longer need for the homeless or poor to take.
The concept is spreading: several UK towns currently feature their very own walls of kindness (in the case of Brighton, it’s a seafront shelter of kindness…)
Image by Jaime Huxtable
STOP THE ROT
Ask your local restaurants to donate their leftover food to the homeless — or like this bagel shop, turn it into beer!
Better still, see if there’s a set-up like the Real Junk Food Project which will collect waste food and turn it into meals for those who need it.
Image by Riyadh Rateme
SEE PEOPLE AS PEOPLE
The charity Streets of London say that we must “challenge the perception that homeless people are any different from the rest of us. Homelessness begins when something bad happens and you don’t have family or friends around to help. It could happen to any of us.”
The same logic can be applied across many sectors of society: they may be temporarily disadvantaged, but they are people.
Image by Woodrow Phoenix
BE SOMEONE TO LOOK UP TO
Be a mentor to someone who needs your life experience.
Centrepoint, the homeless charity in London, says “If you’re passionate or knowledgeable about something, you could apply your skills to helping homeless young people. Buddy up with a young person who wants to get into the gym or supervise gym sessions if you really know your stuff, volunteer at cooking workshops, teach young people to garden or run sessions that help them gain some of the professional or life skills you have.”
Image by Soizick Jaffre
CHANGE YOUR BUSINESS MODEL
In Madrid, one restaurant charges its customers during the day, and uses the profits to feed the homeless in the evening.
Image by Jeroen Janssen
BE SOMEONE’S VOICE
There are those whose voice is easily drowned out: those with learning difficulties, the frail, the elderly, those who find language difficult.
For them, it can be impossible to get their wishes and needs expressed to doctors, the judiciary, landlords and others who have some power over elements of their lives.
Volunteer via local charities to advocate for people whose voice is not heard.
Image by Kate Moon
PAY WELL
Fair pay means giving employees a wage that covers a basic standard of living with some extra to account for unexpected costs or to go towards building a more secure future.
The Living Wage Foundation say: “In low paid sectors a vicious cycle of high levels of staff turnover and absenteeism can drive problems of operational inefficiency, low standards and weak productivity that hit the bottom line.”
If you employ staff, consider joining companies like Brewdog and Oliver Bonas which pay the real living wage. You’ll bring a piece of mind to your workforce. You’ll nurture happier, more engaged workers who’ll stick around. And you’ll reflect fair values back into your business
Image by Beth Dawson
SLEEP OUT
UK charity Centrepoint encourages a form of fundraising where you’re sponsored to sleep rough, typically in a public space such as a hall, and with others.
OK, so you’re hardly having the authentic homelessness experience, but it does mean that you learn a little about the discomforts of those on the street, while raising the money to help them.
Image by Aki Alaraatikka
EMPLOY THE LESS EMPLOYABLE
Could you give a job to someone who would find it hard to secure work elsewhere?
Consider recruiting from groups such as ex-convicts – giving them less reason to return to a life of crime – or those with autism, learning difficulties or disabilities, allowing them a chance for paid work that few others may offer.
Image by Wallis Eates
GIVE MINDFULLY
Donate money to an organisation whose values you share. They’ll know exactly how your money can best be put to work.
Image by Dave McKean
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PAY WELL
Fair pay means giving employees a wage that covers a basic standard of living with some extra to account for unexpected costs or to go towards building a more secure future.
The Living Wage Foundation say: “In low paid sectors a vicious cycle of high levels of staff turnover and absenteeism can drive problems of operational inefficiency, low standards and weak productivity that hit the bottom line.”
If you employ staff, consider joining companies like Brewdog and Oliver Bonas which pay the real living wage. You’ll bring a piece of mind to your workforce. You’ll nurture happier, more engaged workers who’ll stick around. And you’ll reflect fair values back into your business
Image by Beth Dawson
BUILD A WALL OF KINDNESS
While Donald Trump was first talking about his divisive wall, the concept of a “Wall of Kindness” was blossoming in Iran.
Stretches of wall are painted and furnished with pegs. Then, people hang clothes, food and and goods that they no longer need for the homeless or poor to take.
The concept is spreading: several UK towns currently feature their very own walls of kindness (in the case of Brighton, it’s a seafront shelter of kindness…)
Image by Jaime Huxtable
SEE PEOPLE AS PEOPLE
The charity Streets of London say that we must “challenge the perception that homeless people are any different from the rest of us. Homelessness begins when something bad happens and you don’t have family or friends around to help. It could happen to any of us.”
The same logic can be applied across many sectors of society: they may be temporarily disadvantaged, but they are people.
Image by Woodrow Phoenix
STOP THE ROT
Ask your local restaurants to donate their leftover food to the homeless — or like this bagel shop, turn it into beer!
Better still, see if there’s a set-up like the Real Junk Food Project which will collect waste food and turn it into meals for those who need it.
Image by Riyadh Rateme
Draw The Line 