Profile: Roughing It
Do you recognise Andy? Until recently he was a familiar face around Moseley, but not a particularly welcome one. Perhaps you hurried past him with a frown, or handed over your change with a look of pity, because for nine months Andy was a rough sleeper in the area, begging for money which he used to buy alcohol. But now, thanks to support from housing and care organisation Midland Heart, he’s off the streets and turning his life around.
Like many rough sleepers, Andy had a rocky start in life. A family break down meant he ended up in care. This disrupted childhood, followed by a long term drink problem, left Andy with no support network. After stints in various hostels, Andy began sleeping rough in 2012 when he was evicted for not paying the rent - he’d spent all his money on alcohol. It was winter and he had nowhere to go.
Armed with just a sleeping bag and a blanket, Andy spent nine months living on the streets around Moseley and Kings Heath. He spent some nights in the disused Ford Meteor garage, and three months living in Highbury Park. He admits that his life at that time revolved around alcohol. “Even if I was starving to death, if someone had put some food in front of me and a bottle of alcohol, I would have gone for the booze every single time. You don’t think about eating, about sleeping, just about where to get the next drink. I’m lucky to be alive.”
Andy’s story is sadly not uncommon. Colin Parry, Team Leader for Outreach Services at Midland Heart says, “The reasons people find themselves sleeping rough are very broad, but the most common are relationship breakdowns, alcohol abuse, mental health issues and youngsters running away from the care system. We also have quite a few Eastern European migrant workers who suddenly find themselves out of a job without any means of supporting themselves.”
Sleeping rough is a dangerous and traumatising experience. “Bullying and victimisation are common,” explains Colin. “Rough sleepers are often robbed. They tend to go round in twos or threes because it’s safer.”
It’s why Andy chose to come to Moseley when he found himself on the streets. “I done quite well begging,” he says, “and Moseley is out of town, away from the trouble makers, guns and drugs.”
“Moseley is seen as affluent and safe,” agrees Colin. “It’s a lucrative spot so you get more beggars coming into the area.” It’s just one of the reasons that members of the public, no matter how well intentioned, should not try to help rough sleepers directly.
“I would really advise against handing out money,” says Colin. “The chances are it will just be spent on drugs or alcohol. It’s better to buy them a sandwich, although there are places out there which provide food. The best thing you can do is call Streetlink (0300 500 0914), which will alert the local outreach team. We have skilled and trained workers who know how to best support rough sleepers.”
The help they offer goes well beyond finding a bed for the night. Each person is individually assessed and offered support according to their particular needs, from a cup of tea and a shower to obtaining ID, signposting to welfare services and organising volunteering opportunities. It’s a multi-agency approach focussed on giving practical support to make lasting changes. And it’s this approach which has enabled Andy to get back on his feet.
“I’m in a place in Handsworth,” he says. “We share a lounge, bathroom and garden but I have my own bedroom. I’m doing voluntary work on an allotment, bits of jobs. I’ve got an alcohol nurse sees me once a fortnight and I don’t get drunk like I used to. I don’t drink every day like I used to.”
“I still have nightmares about being homeless,” he admits, “But I’m not there any more. I’m not thinking about the past, I’m thinking about my future. It’s little steps, one at a time, but I’m doing brilliant.”
If you see someone sleeping rough anywhere in the UK, please call the national Streetlink number: 0300 500 0914
Published in 'Moseley B13' April 2014
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