Moral Dilemma - came across a homeless person :-/

Donnie

Donnie

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So, went for a wander today with the camera thinking ill get some piccies of the flooded Great Ouse here in Kempston and went exploring a bit of old scrubland near the railway line and theres the usual evidence of empty tinnies and cheapo 2 litre bottles of cider etc.

So, had a good explore, didn't even get my camera out as there was nothing to see, then on my way out spotted something in a small bunch of trees so I quietly approached and soon realised it's a small dome tent with some evidence someones living rough.

Now, at this point Im out of there as I don't want to disturb someone who may or may not be violent, Im not about to take the chance.

But, I am wondering if I should do something about it in the sense that getting him or her some help?

First thoughts are to report to the police but I dont know how that might help the person in question to be honest, so then im thinking is there someone else i could report it to that may be able to give this person the help they may need? My other option is to just leave the poor b****r alone?
 
Chances are they have chosen to live there, might not be your choice, but I would leave them alone.
 
I would leave them alone, if they didn't appear to be offending anyone. They may be self sufficient / outdoorsmen /.

Reminds me of the old photographers joke :

Two photographers walking past a beggar,
One says to his mate " What did you give him ?"
Mate - "125th @ f8"



Boom boom.
 
If you really want to help you could take some advice on what best to do from one of the charities who specialise in working with the homeless, or local social services. Often there are complex reasons why someone is (through choice or circumstance) living like this. But I would have thought an offer of food, clean water, a hot drink or dry/warm clothing wouldn't go amiss. If you get told to #>€^$¥ off then at least you've tried. Tough one, I agree.
 
We have a regular outdoor living patrons less than 200 yds from my house. It is on scrub land and they do get moved on quite often.

While out walking the dog I took a trip round that way to find a small encampment of eastern europeans of which I recognised two of them from my local car wash.

Cash in hand and small living costs are a huge step up in their financial spectrum, gotta love the immigration policy we have ;)

Phil.
 
Did you see or sense anything there that might indicate that this person may be in need of help?
They may be in desperate need of assistance but equally they might be there by choice and really not welcome any type of interference.

If it's something that's bothering you, as mentioned above, get in touch with one of your local homeless charities (a quick Google brings up a few in Bedford) and talk to somebody there.
I can understand how it might play on your mind.

One of the saddest and most desperate things I've ever seen :
Winter 2009/2010. Shopping in Cardiff. An elderly homeless man was sat in a disused doorway and had slit his wrists with a piece of broken glass.
Ambulance and police were already on the scene and as I walked past I overheard a snatch of conversation.
It wasn't a suicide attempt. He didn't want to die. He just wanted to be hospitalised. The homeless shelters were full to bursting point in the freezing temperatures and all he wanted was a warm bed and some hot food for a few days.

Really makes you think about the things most of us take for granted doesn't it?
 
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Donnie said:
Certainly does, im going to contact someone at one of the local charity's tomorrow and see what happens.
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That's great. They'll probably have outreach workers of some sort who can approach the guy in the right way. You might just change someone's life by doing something so simple as making a quick call. Let us know what happens ...
 
It's always difficult to do the right thing.

About 10 years back I bought a small plot of land with an overgrown pond and stream at the bottom of it. Was hoping to get planning consent to build a house as it was in the middle of nowhere.

On exploring it I found that a guy was living by the pond. He was filthy (in his words he washes only in the summer).

He was friendly(ish) but said he would move on. I said stay as it would be gears. He did a bit of farm work and drank a lot. He accepted no help and we basically spoke 3 times. After 5 years e popped in to say we had sold the plot on and to say goodbye, only to find no sign of him ever being there.

That same month we were in Bristol and found whilst wandering a back lane, a young guy asking us to "spare some change". My partner said to him that she would buy him some food. His foul worded response was he needed cider to live.
_
That was the moment she walked away.

I think the 2 cases illustrate that there are different lifestyle choices and it is very difficult to truly convey care and concern into meaningful actions.

I think the advice to get the people who seek to help the vulnerable involved and whilst it goes against the grain just to walk by, there are those who have alcohol and drugs problems or who are quite happy living outside what we might call the "norm".

So difficult.
 
not really quallified to advise,because i feel very privildged to be having been not in any situation like the ones mentioned above,but i truly hope if somebody needs help that they get help.
one way or another!!!!
 
Salvation Army would probably help.
 
arclight said:
Salvation Army would probably help.
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I am not a great fan of the SA.

There have been many reports of excessive misuse of their funds. That said I have not really researched the organisation fully so happy to be corrected.

Steve
 
well as a bit of an update, I tried on and off all day to ring so have ended up emailing them instead as at least that way I know they'll get it when they get a chance.

Of course as I was out in another part of town completely this afternoon I found another one :(
 
Hugh Jarse said:
I am not a great fan of the SA.

There have been many reports of excessive misuse of their funds. That said I have not really researched the organisation fully so happy to be corrected.

Steve
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You're right not to be a fan of the Salvos. There is a large scale inquiry into them over here at the moment, following revelations of serious physical and sexual abuse of children in their care - and institutionalised 'cover-ups' akin to the Catholic Church. Couple that with their well documented mistreatment of homosexuals and you've got a quality organisation...

Some people involved with them do do some good work with homeless and disenfranchised youth - but there are other organisations who do that without the other problems and the religious overtones.
 
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