Worthing Council is seeking to criminalise rough sleepers – 90% of whom are men – so we tip our hats to the Worthing People’s Assembly for a very successful petition on the matter, and for their plan to hold a protest outside Worthing Town Hall on 19 July. Details here.
Though many councils no longer have a “points” system, they have “prioritisation” or “risk assessment” the truth is a working age non ethnic male is way at the end of the queue for help. And of course this is true of the agencies/charities funded by those authorities. The net effect that on the streets are the people we are culturally least likely to gain sympathy.
Over my working life I have huge respect to the Sally Army and other smaller charities who try to turn no one away.
I support this campaign as it is kicking (men mainly) when they are down. But they need not be down and out. Frankly the input to pick men up is often pretty minimal, an address (vital to work) a shower facility and place to clean clothes (even if a bed isn’t on offer). What it takes to look and feel presentable for getting work. Oh, and just a bit of encouragement. Think how frequently women seek and receive compliments, and how rarely a man will hear such positive feedback. Men are competitive creatures particularly with other men but just a little “fraternity” could be extended to our brothers who’ve fallen .