Post by newboy52 on Dec 22, 2022 20:38:02 GMT
Well done to SallyCat for mentioning the plight of the Homeless at Christmas, and highlighting the No Home Kit scheme. What a fantastic Idea. We are reminded at this time of year by the advertising Campaigns run by the big National Charities :- Shelter, Salvation Army and Crisis, most of which run campaigns with big advertising budgets. (I hope that no one reading this ever finds them self being homeless) If you travel into any of the London Rail Stations and see the number of rough sleepers on the Station Concourse or in shop nearby doorways, it tends to make you very aware of the problem.
There are often many reasons they are there. It could be Family breakdown, loss of job, mental health issues, drug related, gambling, alcohol (a very common addiction as It is available every where you go, most shops have it). If you remember Paul Gascoigne and George Best (for the older ones) both tremendously talented and high earning Footballers who both had their lives destroyed by an alcohol addiction.
On a local level there is a charity in Wallington, SUTTON NIGHT WATCH, 35 MANOR ROAD, WALLINGTON.SN6 0BW .TEL 0208 669 9920 Open 8-4 Weekdays 8-12 Saturdays. It is run mainly by Volunteers. They have been established in the local area for many years dealing with the Homeless, also now encompassing families struggling with feeding their families during these difficult times, also in the past during Covid, giving food parcels and help with Benefits and Housing Advice.
It is a place where the Service Users can come in, get a meal and somewhere warm to get hot drinks, benefit from company, change their clothes, have a shower and a food parcel to take away. They are also given access to a Counsellor also a Mentor, to try and get over the addiction or issue, which caused the homelessness in the first place. They can get accommodation arranged, and ultimately many become Volunteers at the Centre and help others in a similar plight.
Think if you live in the L.B.of Sutton how many rough sleepers do you see in and around Sutton, Carshalton, Wallington etc. Many come in to the Centre to get help Locally and there is a good network of Volunteers who will direct them to the Centre for help, and off the streets, should they so wish. I must mention all the many local Supermarkets, cafes, local businesses and many schools that all donate food, and money to S.N.W. Many are also Sponsors of Sutton United, Any donations of cash or otherwise is managed in the most prudent way, and almost nothing is spent on Advertising. Also thanks must go to many local individuals who bring in and donate cooked food on a regular basis, which is converted into nutritious meals by the team of volunteers for the Service Users.
Now the clincher (DRUM ROLL !!) I am not about to ask for money-- so you can relax now- although that is always useful, most of us are struggling in these austere times. How can you help with Christmas coming up I hear you ask? You may well be given some really naff clothes for presents (You know the ones - you wouldn't be seen dead in !!) They could be too small for you, but you smile sweetly and say through gritted teeth HOW NICE. Or it could be that Great Auntie Doris last saw you a few years ago when you were a size 12, now you are a different size, but you are too embarrassed to say no to her lovely presents.
If you want to lose them DISCREETLY bring them into S.N.W . We need both Men's and Women's clothes. We also need donations of :-Trainers, sugar, pasta sauces (not pasta), tinned meat, tinned
veg, UHT Milk, tinned rice, tinned fruit, tinned spaghetti, also Razors, Spray Deodorant, Shaving Gel.
Thanking you in anticipation.
Sutton Night Watch.
There are often many reasons they are there. It could be Family breakdown, loss of job, mental health issues, drug related, gambling, alcohol (a very common addiction as It is available every where you go, most shops have it). If you remember Paul Gascoigne and George Best (for the older ones) both tremendously talented and high earning Footballers who both had their lives destroyed by an alcohol addiction.
On a local level there is a charity in Wallington, SUTTON NIGHT WATCH, 35 MANOR ROAD, WALLINGTON.SN6 0BW .TEL 0208 669 9920 Open 8-4 Weekdays 8-12 Saturdays. It is run mainly by Volunteers. They have been established in the local area for many years dealing with the Homeless, also now encompassing families struggling with feeding their families during these difficult times, also in the past during Covid, giving food parcels and help with Benefits and Housing Advice.
It is a place where the Service Users can come in, get a meal and somewhere warm to get hot drinks, benefit from company, change their clothes, have a shower and a food parcel to take away. They are also given access to a Counsellor also a Mentor, to try and get over the addiction or issue, which caused the homelessness in the first place. They can get accommodation arranged, and ultimately many become Volunteers at the Centre and help others in a similar plight.
Think if you live in the L.B.of Sutton how many rough sleepers do you see in and around Sutton, Carshalton, Wallington etc. Many come in to the Centre to get help Locally and there is a good network of Volunteers who will direct them to the Centre for help, and off the streets, should they so wish. I must mention all the many local Supermarkets, cafes, local businesses and many schools that all donate food, and money to S.N.W. Many are also Sponsors of Sutton United, Any donations of cash or otherwise is managed in the most prudent way, and almost nothing is spent on Advertising. Also thanks must go to many local individuals who bring in and donate cooked food on a regular basis, which is converted into nutritious meals by the team of volunteers for the Service Users.
Now the clincher (DRUM ROLL !!) I am not about to ask for money-- so you can relax now- although that is always useful, most of us are struggling in these austere times. How can you help with Christmas coming up I hear you ask? You may well be given some really naff clothes for presents (You know the ones - you wouldn't be seen dead in !!) They could be too small for you, but you smile sweetly and say through gritted teeth HOW NICE. Or it could be that Great Auntie Doris last saw you a few years ago when you were a size 12, now you are a different size, but you are too embarrassed to say no to her lovely presents.
If you want to lose them DISCREETLY bring them into S.N.W . We need both Men's and Women's clothes. We also need donations of :-Trainers, sugar, pasta sauces (not pasta), tinned meat, tinned
veg, UHT Milk, tinned rice, tinned fruit, tinned spaghetti, also Razors, Spray Deodorant, Shaving Gel.
Thanking you in anticipation.
Sutton Night Watch.