Don't cross the road ...

I made a decision when i moved on from #tru to do something that would impact people directly. It didnt take long to find a way to do this. I started helping with Breakfasts for rough sleepers on the market square, Northampton organised by BlankCanvass Missions Project 16:15. Blank Canvass is an evolving charity, started by one man who decided to deliver hot breakfast to rough sleepers where they are sleeping. Start the day after a cold night with some hot food, a warm drink and above all a bit of recognition as a human.

In the world of easy content, we quite often hear about things that will change lives. The miracle cures and the silver bullet. Often this hype is linked to a seminar, a motivational speaker or a super coach. Other times it is a miracle fix for sales performance, career or happiness in life. Most of the time it is little more than hype, little really is life saving, or life changing. This really is.

What has surprised me most since getting directly involved is the attitude of those who find themselves in the category of "rough sleeper." No other way to state it, life is pretty shit, and it only takes a few bad events to happen to end up with no other options, paticularly since the roll out of universal credit in the UK. One payment is a good idea in principle, but when rents are no longer paid direct to landlords, and there are historical attachments to earnings, or sanctions for missing appointments, or a 5 week wait for payments, it is not long before eviction to the street soon follows. This is not a point scoring political statement, it is a reflection on reality. In the non saving, low wage age, many more are only a personal disaster away from rough sleeping. It really could be any of us.

Getting back from being a rough sleeper is really hard. There are some hostel beds in the town, available for one night. emergency assisted accommodation, (available short term) and a limited stock of social housing. Progressing from one to another is extremely slow due to availability. Getting off the street and meeting the criteria is hard. I spoke recently to someone who had been waiting a year and is hopeful of reaching the first rung of the ladder, a room in a house in the next few weeks. Fingers crossed.

As you might expect, there are a host of other challenges, from substance or alcohol abuse, mental health or family break up. Whatever the cause, we should never give up on these people who need our help the most. It is important to suspend judgement, because you never know the road that might have led to this place. Many of us can be honest that when we have made wrong turns, there has been a support network to bring us back on track. Not everyone is born with that luxury.

Northampton is not much different to many towns around the country. Similar in size, make up, and a high street that has seen better days. Whilst the official numbers for rough sleepers recorded over one night in 2019 are higher than average, they feel low in reporting, and high in reality. I tend to go with Stan Robertson's (the charity founder), estimate of 60 to 80 in anyone night. For a start, the official count does not include anyone in what is described as a tented encampment (of which there are a few), or those fortunate enough to get a hostel bed on the evening of the count. This could easily be the town where you live. There is nothing special in this story.

Most disturbing, is the stories I have heard of the treatment handed out to rough sleepers particularly when the pubs turn out. Verbal and physical abuse is part and parcel of rough sleeping. Women run an ongoing risk of sexual abuse or expectation in return for as little as a blanket. Humanity is disappointing when you look under the hood, as much as i truly believe that most folks are inherently good. Most people will help, they just don't know how.

I have been struck by how some common decency, conversation and a smile can really help. We can all do that, it costs nothing. Even if you are not going to spare some change, buy a cup of coffee, offer a smile or atleast a polite acknowledgment. Let folks know you see them as human.

Part of my decision to get involved was to stop being angry and political, writing the best Facebook put downs, and to do something. I didn't know what, or who for, but to do something. From the first time helping with Breakfast I knew this was something I wanted to do more of, and it has been a bit of a whirlwind few months. Early days yet, there are plenty of folks like Stan who have been supporting this community before I even noticed they existed. We all need to do something.

In an early conversation, it was mentioned that the dream was to buy a horsebox (the motorised kind), and use this as a mobile respite center. The idea is that this space can be used to reach people when they need it, from somewhere to warm up, talk, access services, for medical attention, for wifi, for a mobile art space. There are many possible uses. We took a chance and bought one on e-bay (or rather my wife did with my credit card.) We set up a just giving page and a video to share the idea, and in a week, ￡2,960 has been given from around the world, half from America. I'm grateful to everyone who bought in to this and gave or shared the message. We have a mechanic getting the horsebox ready for MOT, and a team of street artists itching to get spraying. We are nearly there.

We have named the truck Samantha (in memory of Samantha Wright), who was one of 7 rough sleepers) who lost their lives on the street last year. Each is going to be commemorated by a star on the truck when the painting starts.

Next up comes the interior refit. It is important that inside and out, this does not resemble an animal carrying vehicle. We will also need all the practical stuff like tax, insurance, fuel , supplies and wifi. We should wash our year one face for about another ￡1900. And so for the first time, I'm pushing this out to my network beyond Facebook. Some of you know me from the past, maybe through recruiting, or training, or conference speaking or my videos. Some of you are connections. If you can see how this helps, please share the story, or the link to the appeal, or donate on the just giving page if you feel so moved. The link is in the first page of comments.

Thanks for sticking my ramblings out till the end. Look on the roof over your head as a privelidge, and don't cross the road when you next see a rough sleeper with their hand out.

Peace out,

Bill