Do you give money to homeless people?

[cwtchesandprosecco]

Hi everyone,

Interested in everyone’s opinion on this.

On the train on the way and a man started walking down the carriages asking for money for a shelter. He seemed like a genuine, friendly guy and wasn’t pushing but despite genuinely wanting to I stopped myself from giving any change.

I don’t know whether it was the feeling of being a bit trapped that stopped me, obviously can’t just walk away with, but something did.

So, would you/ do you give money to homeless people who ask for it?

I don’t give to beggars on the train but do sometimes to those in streets I see often. More usually, I buy the big issue and get a sandwich and coffee.

I find it very intimidating on the train so try not to even catch their eye.

No. I’m completely confused as to how to do things in the UK so I have a DD set up to 2 charities.

No I don’t. You get a lot on certain overground trains in London when they can walk through the whole train and they all use the same spiel. I give quite a bit to homelessness groups and charities which I consider a better use.

No , I get lots of beggars on my train , sometimes up to 3 in a 40 minute journey. Some get aggressive if no one gives any change. There are posters on my trains saying not to give money to the beggars and also announcements. I think many are part of organised gangs.

I have a direct debit to a homeless charity. It's not enough but I'd rather do that than hand money over in person.

A very close friend of mine works in a homeless hostel in our town, and she knows the regulars who are in and out of the hostel, most of the regulars seen begging for change are the drug-users and drinkers - I’ve been in town with her on a few occasions and one of these people will see her and have a first-name-basis chat with her.
According to her, the regular beggers in my town will be back in the hostel once their benefits are paid (those who qualify for them), they will be caught using drugs on the premises, asked to leave and the cycle repeats the following month - so in short, no. I don’t give the regulars I see on the streets cash.
The only time I’ve given one lady who was begging a tenner, was about 5 years ago. She didn’t speak English - but luckily I speak Polish! She looked really bedraggled, looked like she could do with a good meal and had a little kid with her (looked about 5 or 6) and was begging near the train station for change to make up her train fare to get to where her DH was working up north.
I felt really sorry for them, and happily handed the money over!

I happily hand over money in person. Giving to charity is great too though.
I rarely have change and if I have it I rarely use it so I may as well give it to someone who will appreciate it rather than sit at the bottom of my purse.
Whether they spend it on a shelter or spice is none of my business, if I was on the streets I’d want some kind of drug to get me through the night as well.

No - if you talk to people who actually have experience of working with the homeless they'll all tell you not to give directly. Often they belong to organised gangs and make hundreds each day targeting rich commuters. Or if you give an addict money (and most genuinely homeless people have substance abuse problems) they may kill themselves by overdosing.

Give it Shelter etc.

I give to homeless people. We actually don’t have many in our area but when I’ve lived or been in busier areas I will. I also give them tobacco, papers and filters if I see that they smoke.

The homeless I’m on about are on the streets. I’ve never been approached on a train and I’m not sure what I would do to be fair.

I do sometimes. For pretty arbitrary reasons tbh. If they're not too pushy, if I have change easily to hand, if I'm in a good mood.
I realise most are drink/drug dependant but an addiction is a genuine need and it's very little money to me.

My DD works with the homeless and has ingrained in me to have the details of the local shelter on me and ensure they know it (so far, that has not been met with a great response) and if I’m feeling so inclined, to offer to buy a drink/sandwich and not presume to buy them.
Not that useful in your train situation though.
I once gave to an elderly lady begging on the street in Rome and was roundly told off by a local who assured me that she was not ‘in need’.

Not any more. I DD to a charity. I don't even buy Big Issue as I think there is some organisation/gang involvement. I work in central London and I have seen a gangmaster shouting at the sellers first thing in the morning. And they go up to people outside cafes etc when they are given a pitch.

The area around Victoria Station in London is very bad for begging at the moment. Even on the concourse or in the Costa you get repeatedly asked. I live in South West London. Never had beggars but in the last year there are loads, including some fake ones.

No. DP works for a homelessness charity and the advice from most similar organisations is not to give cash directly to those begging.
Sadly a lot of money given directly to homeless people begging is used for drink or drugs. )Although I’m not sure we can all judge them for that. I think I might turn to drink or drugs in the same situation.) Anyway, its better in the long run to give directly to a homelessness charity. This will fund more positive things like safe places for homeless people to stay, support for them to get into accommodation, help with addictions and helping them get their lives back on track.

I help when I can, if they’re faking it then it’s on their conscience. It could be any one of us or our loved ones. I don’t give direct debits because often the bureaucracy involved means that the neediest often fall through the cracks. I don’t care if I get labelled as gullible or naive, I will not have turning my back on vulnerable people on my conscience.

To be fair @IntoValhalla many street homeless are addicts - probably the majority.

I don’t give to homeless people or really do anything to help them tbh. I do see many people from other countries- particularly Africa - give generously to homeless people on the tube so I imagine that’s why they do it. Different countries deal with social problems in different ways. In the U.K. I believe we should fund these services from taxation: charities are allowing the government to skirt their responsibilities in this respect.

I buy the Big Issue and I ask if I can buy them food and drink but I don't give money to anyone asking on the streets (including people shaking charity tins) My only exception is the lovely man who collects for the Salvation Army, I always give him a tenner because they kept my df clothed and fed when his mother abandoned him and his younger brother in his early teens. He gave to them every month and I like to think I am carrying on where he left off.

I mainly give food and drink but I do give money if I'm somewhere where there is no shop available and I have change.

Thing is they don’t really want food and drink dont they? They want money

Although tbf I did ask a homeless man once and he wanted socks so i bought him a pack 🤣

Not money but I'll give them a couple of cigarettes if I have any on me.

No. And I called a security guard on one tonight as he was giving racist abuse out to people ignoring him.

I always give him a tenner because they kept my df clothed and fed when his mother abandoned him and his younger brother in his early teens. He gave to them every month and I like to think I am carrying on where he left off

I do the same for my late grandpa who always spoke of the tea and doughnuts they’d dish out to servicemen and women during the war.

No.

I donate to the local homeless shelter.

As other posters have said. The ones begging on the street are usually the ones with substance abuse problems who aren't allowed in the hostel.

Giving them money won't help. In fact it might kill them.

Its completely judgemental of me and I probably should be quite embarrassed but I can't get myself to get my purse out im always scared it'll be snatched either by them or somebody watching so no I do not