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Original poster

Do you give money to homeless people?

131 replies

cwtchesandprosecco · 09/08/2019 18:02

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?

OP posts:
bouncingraindrops · 09/08/2019 18:33

Never. The advice is always not to.

XXcstatic · 09/08/2019 18:36

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

Trouble is, you are fuelling trafficking and the abuse of vulnerable people by professional gangs. It is people like you, who refuse to listen to all the homeless charities, who create the market for abusers. And those of us who work with the homeless end up picking up the pieces. But, hey, as long as you can give yourself a big pat on the back about how moral you are, who cares, right? Hmm

Passthecherrycoke · 09/08/2019 18:39

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

But there are millions of vulnerable people
In the U.K. we all turn our back on. Street homeless beggars are just putting themselves right in front of us, that’s the only reason you’re helping them.

KitKat1985 · 09/08/2019 18:39

No. I work with someone whose husband manages a homeless hostel. Despite having a roof over their heads and a bed, the vast majority of their residents of them go 'professional begging' each day, because it's much better paying than a job, and they make on average £100-200 each per day apparently. Much of that money gets spent on drugs and alcohol.

I think in terms of helping homeless people, it's better to give money to a proper charity or soup kitchen project etc.

bouncingraindrops · 09/08/2019 18:41

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

A lot of these people are professional beggars earning more in a week than some peoples wages. There is piss all vulnerable about them.

Sirzy · 09/08/2019 18:43

I don’t give to them directly. I do give both money and things they are after (socks, sleeping bags etc) to local shelters in the hope they will ensure the resources get where they are most needed

Vinorosso74 · 09/08/2019 18:43

No. I occasionally smoke when I go out so might give them a cigarette or two. I did have a homeless man ask me for a piece of chewing gum once. I gave him the rest of the packet.

Minimincepies · 09/08/2019 18:46

I don't give money. I used to buy the big issue from a really nice homeless lady, and when it was snowing I bought her some gloves and a hot chocolate because she was cold. But random beggars, no.

HeyMonkey · 09/08/2019 18:47

If they have a dog I buy them dog food.

georgialondon · 09/08/2019 18:48

No. I'm not paying for drugs.

MyDcAreMarvel · 09/08/2019 18:50

Sometimes I do because I don’t really care if they spend it on alcohol, I would want to be drunk.
Mostly though I buy people food/coffee never had anyone refuse.

MyDcAreMarvel · 09/08/2019 18:50

I would want to be drunk if homeless I meant.

spaniorita · 09/08/2019 18:50

No, I never give in person, I've offered food and drink, and give money to shelter but now I just give money to shelter because there are so many people homeless in town that I can't give to them all and who's to say who needs it more than the other so I just give to charity instead

CallMeRachel · 09/08/2019 18:51

No. There are very few genuine homeless people in Britain. The types we see are generally professional beggars.

The people who sleep on the streets are looked after by outreach workers and are kept fed by food donation schemes from the likes of Pret and Tesco.

Passthecherrycoke · 09/08/2019 18:51

Too right. If I were homeless I’d never be sober

WanderingTrolley1 · 09/08/2019 18:51

I never give cash, might get them food and a drink.

MumGoneCrazy · 09/08/2019 18:53

Nope, never give money but will happily give food and drinks.
I'm just heading back to Wales after spending 3 days in paddington with my 3 dd's and both mornings all 3 have given away their breakfast boxes the hotel gave us and bought one guy a kfc meal.

MerryDeath · 09/08/2019 18:53

did you watch Ed Stafford ch 4 documentary series?

timshelthechoice · 09/08/2019 18:55

No, I give money to homeless charities and to mental health charities.

berlinbabylon · 09/08/2019 18:59

I don't give direct but I have sponsored a room at Centrepoint - I did it for about 3 years and then changed charities.

Newmumma83 · 09/08/2019 19:07

Try to give food if I can and water / hot drink or I have given a jumper and sleeping bag in the past. I have given money before and saw him drunk that night downing cheap bottles of cider ... was worried I was curling alcoholism.

EscapeTheOrdinary · 09/08/2019 19:15

No. If homeless people get money in the street they are less inclined to engage with the shelters. I give money to them instead as they can provide more support

Honeyroar · 09/08/2019 19:23

I used to, then I watched a "shift change" of beggars outside my local supermarket. The ones ending their shifts took out cigarettes and expensive iPhones and waited to be picked up in a posh car. Since then I give to Shelter, the food bank, Streetpaws and I donate all the toiletries from the hotel's I stay in to the local homeless shelter. I never give cash.

NottonightJosepheen · 09/08/2019 19:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RaspberryRippleCrisps · 09/08/2019 19:32

I used to,up until a year ago. I gave a pound or two a few times to a homeless guy who was always sat outside Burger King in my local high street. But then he started expecting it every time I saw him. I'd given him two quid one evening,then I walked past him the following evening and he waved at me. I slowed down,thinking he was just being friendly,but then he said 'Got a couple of quid for me love?'. I was completely honest and said sorry,but I couldn't afford to give him money every time I saw him,and walked off.

Then,a few days later,the same thing happened. This time I didn't stop,just acknowledged him with a nod but kept walking. He actually got up and started following me! I just repeated what I'd said previously,and he started spinning me a tale of woe about how he'd been 'mugged',and had absolutely no money. I just said I was sorry to hear that,but I couldn't help him.

I thought he'd got the message,but blow me down,he started yet again when I walked past him a few days later. This time,he started going on about having his phone stolen! I'm afraid I was a bit sharp with him and said that I'd appreciate it if he didn't keep asking me for money. I'm disabled,don't work due to chronic ill health,and don't have a bottomless pit of money. He looked rather offended and walked off. I avoid going anywhere near him now. And I don't give money to ANYONE asking any more,as I don't want to risk a repeat performance.

Unfortunately,there are people put there who do take the piss,and seem to think that because you give them money once or twice,you've committed yourself to giving to them every single time!