General Chat

I am resubmitting this onto the board hoping people feel able to sign. Not to cause controversy with people's difference of opinions. Thanks

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/187735

I don't come here often but I really feel I need to respond.
Although I admire what you are trying to do I feel that in this day and age, as a 'supposedly caring' country there should not be a need for anyone to live without a roof over their head , unless it is by personal choice. The supermarkets throw away food, the government send aid abroad while people live on the streets in the UK..
Take a look at the way the Isle of Wight are dealing with the problem ...people living in tents throughout the winter...talk to the guy who is working to alleviate their problem.
Please do not take offence but TBH this is not the answer.

So we just do nothing. Unless we have been in a situation like this ourselves then we cant really understand or judge. My local supermarket gives it's daily unsold food to a food bank.

Mark had a thread on a few days ago about this and it was discussed quite a bit then maybe you missed it Newby.

Just signed. These packs can surely be used somewhere instead of being thrown away. If it was'nt for people standing up & charities, where would we be.

The majority homeless do not do it by personal choice. My daughter works with a group that help these individuals and their stories are quite an eye opener. Neither are they all drunkards and drug addicts as a lot of people get the impression they are. I knit for them and also collect spare clothing for those that have barely enough to wear.
It is a nice thought that a petition is being raised to try and help

Sorry Mark but this is like using a water pistol to put out a full blown fire... It is a totally unacceptable fact that we in this country have no choice but to accept that people still live on the streets unless there are government changes in policies and considerations for the people who live in the UK , There will be no change by small measures ...take a look at the Isle of Wight and what they are trying to achieve

I don't think Mark is trying to solve the problem just re-route the food.He knows it's a bigger picture I'm sure, one which even if the Government were able to solve would not happen overnight. Meanwhile, this food can be used to solve their hungry for that day so to speak.
Even a water pistol is better than nothing sometimes.

Thanks Caroline ..not been here for ages. I am not disrespecting Marks efforts at all , I admire him for trying to make a difference..I am saying that it is a needle in a haystack. Unless there is a huge reform regarding social welfare in this country the people like Mark will always be losing the battle . I hope you understand what I am trying to say.

NP Newby you obviously didn't see the thread the other day like I said :-)
Sometimes we need to look for the needle even if it is going against all the odds, every little bit helps who knows where it might lead ?

Also you should look in once in a while Newby :-D

<3 Caroline ...How about those living in 2/3 bed properties and not using the spare rooms take in the homeless who want help, for maybe a period of 6 weeks while they get on their feet? Perhaps the Government could find a way to pay for this board and lodgings to the people prepared to do this?

I am in a wheelchair and on benefits. I was fostered from birth and if it wasn't for my foster mother I don't know where I would be. some people especially those with disabilities need an extra room or 2. A live - in carer and room for a friend or a family member to stay for a few nights

The first "problem" I would think of is many of those people are older, I wouldn't want just anyone staying with my mother for instance. Who would check everyone out....no I'm not saying everyone living on the streets is going to be violent.
Who would pay for this scheme? Always goes back to the same point....money....

I have a spare room ..the other one is taken up by my Mum aged 91 . kids have left home so , yes I would be happy to help someone who genuinely wants a helping hand to move away from living on the streets.
Perhaps this might be a new solution if the Government are prepared to invest in it and people are prepared to use their spare rooms ?..

www.aol.co.uk/.../spare-military-food-supplies-should-go-to-army-of-homeless-fra

I have signed .& I understand the way food can be thrown away years ago before 24hr openings the store I was in closed at 8pm so all bread bakery goods & deli goods were sold at reduced prices anything that didn't sell .was thrown away morning after it was disgusting .I believe there are people who go to stores & collect food & take to centres for homeless people .one firm had a small van they now have ten vans & a large warehouse as it has taken off so much .This was on a TV programme but only certain areas in the country do it ,Excuse the pun food for thought :-)

The solutions to all problems have to start somewhere.

It may be that Mark is trying to put out a raging fire with a water pistol, but it is a start.

Whilst I can't comment on the social problems in the UK as I have been absent for so long, in Oz there are similar parallels.

Food banks have sprung up and collect food from supermarkets which would otherwise go to waste.

These have been started by groups or individuals with absolutely no help from Federal or State Governments.

Water pistol maybe, but do you let the vulnerable in Society burn?

As for the Government fixing the situation, in my opinion many have actually caused it.

The programme I watched no Government funding just individuals they get help from business people .they asked were does your food go if you don't sell it. There is fruit & veg so much that is wasted .when these people take the food to Kitchens for homeless or disable people care centres they made some nourishing good food soups stews .it was interesting to watch .There are food banks in UK .but in this day & age its awful that people young & old go hungry shame on our Government

Tescos have (finally) agreed to donate their surplus food to charities.