Is there a reason why I shouldn’t do this?

[Getterfeck]

I walk through Manchester City centre every morning and there’s at least 15-20 rough sleepers I walk past.

Last winter it was horrific to see so many really struggling in the cold and this year I want to do something to help.

I’ve found a pack of 40 pairs of environmentally friendly, air activated hand warmers for £10 on amazon which give heat for 8 hours which you can tuck inside clothing to help keep warm. My idea would be to hand these out.

I already hand out tampons and pads to women (this came about because I offered to nip into Sainsbury’s for one lady and all she asked for was pads, some strepsils and tissues, so now I carry a surplus with me and whenever any of the women ask for money, I say I’ve got extra pads/ tampons and ask if they need any, the answer is usually yes)

Is there any reason I’m not aware of why hand warmers are a bad idea?

Nope. Great idea.

If I was freezing my tits off on the street and someone handed me hand warmers I'd be very grateful.

I used to tuck them in my bra when I needed to.

Go for it. In my city, you can also "buy beds" at a local shelter. So if someone turns up without money, the bed is already paid for and they can stay.

That’s a nice idea!

We was looking at doing some shoeboxes with some none perishables food and drink and a bit of dog food if they have a dog to hand around the homeless in our local city

Could I have a link to your hand warmers

They could be a nice addition

They were £17 not £10:

Little Hotties Hand Pocket Glove Warmers Winter Season Bulk Pack-40 Pairs, Black, Medium www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001G6SQMG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_rZhGDbSBTJQKR?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

I was thinking about shoe boxes but for me it needs to be something I can have in my pocket so I can just dish them out.

That’s a nice idea!

We was looking at doing some shoeboxes with some none perishables food and drink and a bit of dog food if they have a dog to hand around the homeless in our local city

Collect peoples unwanted bags / handbags and use them instead of shoe boxes .i saw an appeal on fb one year for this

I know it sounds a very kind thing to do. But I wonder if, the more comfortable you make homeless people on the street, the more you delay their getting help and engaging with services to rehouse them?
During spells of extremely cold weather, many more homeless people seek out hostels and housing charities, and that might be the only chance to address their addiction, alcoholism or mental health issues.
Such charities counsel against directly giving money, which is often spent on drugs - items such as warmers which enable and facilitate staying on the street may be almost as bad.
I compromise by supporting Crisis and Shelter instead.

It is a kind thing to do. People find themselves homeless for many reasons. It's hard, it's brutal, it's a daily struggle. Life expectancy is in the 40's I believe for rough sleepers.

Anything that can ease that misery would be welcomed.

I try to buy waterproof lightweight covers and hand them out. Anything to keep them dry and warm really.

It's a shocking state we have become, homelessness has increased a lot during this period of austerity.

I went last winter to do this, one week there were 9 -10 people wet, cold and needing help. The following week, not one! I found out that a local charity had provided accommodation for them all and was so relieved.

babdoc I think there is fucking miles a fair distance between the abject misery of being in the streets, and being "comfortable" on the street, and I don't think having warm hands for a night bridges that gap.