Homeless man begging- I want to help but...

[QueenoftheNights]

I often have a little chat with a man who begs outside my local supermarket. I'm not 100% convinced he's genuine, but if so I feel like taking him under my wing if I can.

He says he's 33 and his parents won't allow him at home and they are always drunk. He looks younger than 33. I know nothing about benefits. I asked him why he couldn't stay in the night shelter we have- he says it's full. I asked why he can't sign on for benefits- he says he doesn't have an address. I asked why he can't use his parents (where he has a brother living there still) and he just shrugged.

I did some digging online and found he can use one of two local Job Centres as an address. Today he said he said he didn't know that but in any case he doesn't have any ID so he can't get a bank account for money to be paid into.

I suggested the J Centre could find his NI number perhaps and this would be a start.

I am very naive on all of this . I'd be happy to try to help him if he needs a bit of 'mentoring' to help him sort the admin side. But what does he need to do next?

I buy the big issue and food/water- hot drinks etc but I never give money anymore

Tatterdemali0n

One of our local 'homeless' people spent the day begging on the high street, he then jumped into his car at the end of the day.
People always spout this bullshit on these threads and it's simply not true. I've been homeless (sleeping rough) and through the help and support of various people, agencies and charities worked my way up from having nothing academically to doing my GCSEs then A levels and then Uni. I now work with homeless young people. This car myth pops up all the time and it's fucking ridiculous. Cars are expensive to run, maintain.and park. No one is going to earn enough money from begging to do that. I'm sorry but they don't. I've worked amongst the homeless in Manchester for a long time and during my personal experience I've never come across a single case.
Despite your personal and professional experience of homelessness, I can assure you, just because you've never come across this, it does happen. I saw him Monday to Friday, from the window of my work. It is neither bullshit, untrue or fucking ridiculous. HTH.

To the poster who said they have worked with the homeless in Manchester and there isn't a single genuine case, I don't know how you can state this as fact at all.
It's actually very upsetting to see the amount of homeless people in Manchester. Yes there will be the odd chancer but you only have to look at the people in doorways wet through, clothes falling off them and they look physically weak to know they are genuinely homeless.
There are actually tent villages under the railway arches so there is a huge amount of homeless people in Manchester

JustMuddling did you speak to him and find out all this? It's one of those things you see on here but I've never seen it myself either. I work in a place where even the staff can't park unless they pay upwards of £15 a day.

Apologies I've misread the post where I thought a poster was saying there was no genuine homeless in Manchester, I think the poster meant there is no homeless who jump in a car at the end of the day.

I never spoke to him, no. He would arrive about 11am, leave about 4pm. The car parking is free here. It's not a city, just a small seaside town.

I'm stating it as a fact that in my time it's not something I've seen. Yeah we've had cases of people having to sleep in their cars upon becoming homeless but they quickly give up on them as they can't afford to run them, maintain them or pay the relevant extras like insurance as they don't have an address to give them. They get towed after a while because they don't declare them off road eventually. I concede that maybe it can happen but no way near as often as claimed on these threads. So maybe my p post should have said sleeping in car upon entering homeless situation Yes. Maintaining a car for some purpose of begging on streets? Not so much no.

NoLogic it's ok. I work with many of those people. It's actually humbling to see the pride they take in looking out for one another. They share everything and are very grateful for any kindness shown to them. What is horrible though is people seeking them out Just so they can look at them and take photos. Although some people go and give them camping stuff they no longer need.

I was told look at their shoe's.
New shoe's mean not a begger.

I was told look at their shoe's.
New shoe's mean not a begger.

Eh? All shoes are new at some point. Is there a sliding scale of newness? I've given away brand new shoes to homeless charities, womens refuges and charity shops. I'd hate to think I was making their situation worse

Cheddarisnottheonlycheese fair enough re mug but the OP (in her own OP) called herself naive, then later said she was far from naive .

I was just making the point that for finding out information which may have an important bearing on your (or someone else’s) life, it may be more efficient to contact someone who is likely to have the correct answers. I think this has been borne out by the fact that this thread has degenerated into the usual “all homeless people are actually con men who are rolling in money” vs “all homeless people are angels”. Sadly, neither is true.

How do you know he is sleeping on the streets? Because he told you so?

This car myth pops up all the time and it's fucking ridiculous

I don't think it's about the car, it's about people attending to be homeless when they're not. Professional beggars make a fair amount of money from people trying to be nice and help someone.

Anyone that denies professional beggars exist is kidding themselves. A lot of police forces have task forces to deal with them.
Here's one such news story:

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/02/25/every-beggar-britains-smallest-city-fake-according-police/

I have nothing to add but want to say, you’re a very nice person for trying to help him! There should be more people like you

If you really want to help the homeless donate to a homeless charity or volunteer at a shelter. There are a myriad of reasons why people are on the streets. A lot of the time shelter is available but for some it is a lifestyle choice. There are hostels etc but they have no drug/drink rules so people reject them. I am a bit world weary about the homeless. I work in central London and I have seen a gangmaster corralling Big Issue sellers who then approach people outside cafes and pubs. I give to a homeless charity rather than individuals as I think they will put the money to better use than an individual would. They know who wants the help and who doesn't. I no longer buy the Big Issue, it seems to have been overtaken by gangs.