Beggars, big issues etc

[Sputnik1]

I often feel like stopping and asking them what's in it for me? They'd obviously answer "The feeling that you've helped people who may be less fortunate than yourself" for example, but I'd respond by saying that I would want more than that, maybe some financial recompense for supporting the charity. They may then chastise me that charity is not about financial gain, to which I would respond "exactly" before walking away feeling chuffed.

 

But I prefer to ignore them, give to charity without added middle men, I mean there's enough of them creaming off the profits. If you really want to help people give your time for free, I've stood outside shops when I was younger with a collection tin for charity. If you give a genuinely homeless person a few quid then they will spend that few quid on themselves, I couldn't care less what they spend it on. if you give to charity collectors then only a percentage goes to the actual people that need help.

 

And don't get me started on the Lifeboats, why the fuck that isn't government funded I will never know. How those cunting politicians sleep at night taking their huge wage increases while the general public has to support people that risk their lives on a daily basis boggles the mind.

[Hades]

They should just find one of the many well-paying jobs around and say no to drugs. I did it, why can't they? My hard-earned tax money shouldn't go to junkies and lazy bastards.

[VladimirIlyich]

I hope you explain that to them, Vlad as it could be misconstrued...

 

I tend to not be approached at all when I do a few goose steps at the same time!

[Champ]

There's a woman (early twenties) always stands outside Iceland in Runcorn old town, everyone ignores here or looks at her like she's shit. So I decided to talk to her to find out what the score was - turns out she's a human being with feelings and a pretty shitty run of luck behind her.

Escaped a war zone (Iraq) with her young Child, a Child who was born with deformities due to being exposed to depleted uranium. She now sells the Big issue in order to feed and clothe her Child and herself, she's on her arse and people look at her like she's a piece of shit, when in reality she's one of the strongest people I've ever met.

If we talk to these people and find out their stories we might just start treating them with the respect they deserve.

After speaking to her and hearing her story, I told her I'd be back soon. Went to the Devonshire Bakery bought her a pastie roll and gave her twenty notes, she cried like a baby and gave me a hug.

Best money I've ever spent.

And maybe it's not the point, Aa, because how desperate is someone's life that they will stand out in all weathers to earn a few extra quid, but that story doesn't ring true to me. As harsh as the benefits system may be, even if she is an asylum seeker, she will be entitled to support for her and her child, particularly if the child has disabilities

[VladimirIlyich]

And maybe it's not the point, Aa, because how desperate is someone's life that they will stand out in all weathers to earn a few extra quid, but that story doesn't ring true to me. As harsh as the benefits system may be, even if she is an asylum seeker, she will be entitled to support for her and her child, particularly if the child has disabilities

But don't those people(immigrants) have to wait at least 6 months before qualifying and going through a whole battery of means tests before qualifying? Maybe she has shelter but cant get any work due to a language barrier and the discrimination immigrants face?

Just saying like.

[Champ]

But don't those people(immigrants) have to wait at least 6 months before qualifying and going through a whole battery of means tests before qualifying? Maybe she has shelter but cant get any work due to a language barrier and the discrimination immigrants face?

Just saying like.

Anyone applying for asylum is entitled to limited benefits, mostly in kind, but if this not provided for any reason my understanding is that the local authority will provide support for any children. That is my understanding of what happens here, at least

[VladimirIlyich]

Anyone applying for asylum is entitled to limited benefits, mostly in kind, but if this not provided for any reason my understanding is that the local authority will provide support for any children. That is my understanding of what happens here, at least

The local authority in this part of the world is short of funds and overstretched so I doubt things work as they should.

[Champ]

The local authority in this part of the world is short of funds and overstretched so I doubt things work as they should.

Maybe but they're not going to have kids sleeping on the street

[VladimirIlyich]

Maybe but they're not going to have kids sleeping on the street

Are there no kids sleeping rough? Even if not the mother could have shelter but no money. Nothing surprises me any more in the UK.

[Champ]

Are there no kids sleeping rough? Even if not the mother could have shelter but no money. Nothing surprises me any more in the UK.

The child wouldn't be left without funds of some kind

[VladimirIlyich]

The child wouldn't be left without funds of some kind

I agree as tokens/vouchers for food can be issued but the mother too has a right to food,shelter and an allownce of her own. I cannot claim to be an expert on these things but I am experienced in depending on benefits to simply exist. Luckily I have a helpful family close by while lots of immigrants are not so lucky.

[Champ]

I agree as tokens/vouchers for food can be issued but the mother too has a right to food,shelter and an allownce of her own. I cannot claim to be an expert on these things but I am experienced in depending on benefits to simply exist. Luckily I have a helpful family close by while lots of immigrants are not so lucky.

I've responded to this on the basis of my child care/protection experience. I have some knowledge of the benefits system but I'm no expert. What I do know is that councils have a duty of care to all children in their area, which includes powers to provide financial assistance in cash or in kind although such duties do not extend in the same way towards adults in their area.

[Paulie Dangerously]

 

 

Oxford City Council threatens homeless with £2.5k fine over bags - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-40713992

 

Yeah good luck getting that in the coffers lads

[Ezekiel 25:17]

No to beggars, yes to buskers.

[VladimirIlyich]

No to beggars, yes to buskers.

What about busking beggars?

[AngryOfTuebrook]

I can't help but notice the huge increase in rough sleepers in every town and city in the last few years.

 

Maybe this is also supply-led; maybe the Tories have created more doorways.

[VERBAL DIARRHEA]

Why aren't the litter Nazis in the city centre picking on the homeless. No money in it I suppose, not that anyone should litter, except cats.