hi

i'm looking into what the current state of homelessness (is that a word?) is in sheffield....

i'm doing product design at sheffield hallam and i want to design something that will make an improvement to their lives.

it may only be something temporary and only make a small difference but i still see it as an interesting opportunity for a project.

i know there are big issue sellers about and have seen the 'soup run' that was on division street car park. does anyone know if this is still there and which day(s) it is too?

i'm after any opinions on the matter or info (i read the thread about the blond lady around west street so thanks for that)

and any places that offer advice etc. i know the samaritan's is near atkinsons/stokes tiles... other places like this would be a valuable resource.

ultimately i will be going out to speak to the homeless around sheffield to hear what they have to say and what problems they face.

thanks for reading, any help much appreciated
Tom

there is also the roundabout project on st barnaboes road side of highfields library top end of london road which is a homeless hostel for young people ie 16-25 years i was in there about 10 years ago which give good support and help

Hi,
Don't want to put a black cloud over your illusions of the homeless people in Sheffield but be careful because some of them aren't really homeless and may spin you a line or so to get some money out of you for various addictions they have. Also some of the genuine homeless aren't very pleasant so just be careful! There's various other threads on the homeless, beggars etc on this forum so might be worth searching it for more information.
Good Luck (you will definately need it if you approach Gemma (of blonde haired thread fame!) especially when she's in need of her next fix!

Samaritans is on Rockingham Lane (off West Street)

You could try Ben's Place which is in the same courtyard and also Nomad which is on Rockingham Lane and helps find housing for people.

I believe the cathedral hall still hold a breakfast place for the homeless in Sheffield and there is of course the Salvation Army hostel just off the bottom of the Moor on Charter Row?
The KIngs Centre part of the Sheffield House church on Union Road Netheredge used to have a soup waggon although I'm not positive that it is still in action.

yeah sorry i meant the salvation army....

gonna go to these places and see what's what

I thought there weren't any intentionally homeless people in Sheffield. Bit ironic when we have 2,500 empty Council properties.

ok, well this isn't specific to only sheffield then....

as there are many homeless around the country and the world

[QUOTE]Originally posted by tomgoodfella
[B]hi


i'm doing product design at sheffield hallam and i want to design something that will make an improvement to their lives.

What about a house?

Sorry, but I don't quite get what that part of your post means. Any chance you could explain a bit more?

there are people in this country that sleep rough.

to quote-

"There are many different types of homeless people. The mentally ill, the chemically dependent, those who are unable to afford housing, men, women, families, even those who prefer this way of life are included among the vast cross section of homeless people in every urban instance. Each group of homeless has subjective needs based on circumstance and location."


whether i create something that enables the homeless to stay warmer at night or feel more secure or provides a meal then that's ok.

but basically i'm trying to find out what they need to improve their quality of life.

is there anything else unclear?

You could try Bens place. It is near pizza express on division Street at the top of Devonshire green

There is a place at Woodhouse that takes in the Homeless.I think only men. Also was one at Walkley. Town Hall housing used to house them but I think they altered the rules

hazel

Cheers Tom, that makes it clearer, thanks

I know you said you planned to ask homeless people personally, and I think that's a great idea. But it might be a good move to contact Sheffield agency workers who help the homeless either voluntarily or officially as well.

I don't know if NOMAD is still up and running but that could be a good place to try. Also maybe try some of the groups that work with drug users who may be homeless, like SHED.
It would help you work out what facilities are available already and also what they think, through their experience, Sheffield is really crying out for.

Oops, see that Nomad has already been mentioned! Sorry. SHED is on division street and works with young people in crisis.

Originally posted by WallBuilder
I believe the cathedral hall still hold a breakfast place for the homeless in Sheffield and there is of course the Salvation Army hostel just off the bottom of the Moor on Charter Row?
The KIngs Centre part of the Sheffield House church on Union Road Netheredge used to have a soup waggon although I'm not positive that it is still in action.

the king's centre still have a soup wagon.

I know this, because their "base", of an evening, to serve up the soup and sandwiches is outside my office, so in the morning we have to clear up the debris, of soggy, rained-on butties, and polystyrene cups that are strewn around the entrance.

the soup wagon is a good idea, but I wish that they would not allow the people usiung the soup wagon to leave their rubbish all around.

By the time the sandwich has been rained on all night, the bread is all manky and disintegrating, which makes it impossible to clean up effectively, and the soggy mass of rotting bread is a hazard for people to slip on. It's also incredibly unpleasant to be cleaning up someone's half-eaten food debris, from the night before.

There's a guy that seems to live on Ecclesall Rd at the bus stop next to the Berkeley Centre, where Pizza Hut is. He's about 50 - 60 I think. I often see him there and wonder why/how he's where he is. You could try having a chat with him, he seems to be there most days.

Plain Talker,

i will be trying to visit the king's centre, didn't realise it was only around the corner from our campus.
do you know what nights the soup wagon is there or what days there would possibly be anyone around to speak to?

thanks to everyone's help so far.
i'm going into town this arvo to check out these places of support.

Its a good idea to talk to the homeless directly, but don't go on your own, take someone with you, and make sure you tell someone where you'll be. It may sound obvious but i just thought i'd mention it.

also the big issue may be able to help:
http://www.bigissueinthenorth.com/

Originally posted by t020
There's a guy that seems to live on Ecclesall Rd at the bus stop next to the Berkeley Centre, where Pizza Hut is. He's about 50 - 60 I think. I often see him there and wonder why/how he's where he is. You could try having a chat with him, he seems to be there most days.

He's called Albert. He's a lovely fella; very proud but very likeable *if* he trusts you. He gets a lot of abuse from teenagers and, bless him, has been known to square up to them.
You'll also find him next to the tram stop outside TJHughes.
I work on the precincts for my living, so I know Albert just through seeing him around and taking the time to talk to him. He really is a lovely bloke; he never asks for anything (ie/ begging) - he had a little puppy in the summer (she took great delight in ripping my long cardigan to shreds(!!) and apparantly someone reported him for animal abuse, which really was uncalled for. He adored that dog, and honestly truly loved her, and she evidently was well nourished.
I see a lot of sights every day (the said Gemma included), but Albert really is a lovely fella, who doesn't ask for anything, if only people would take the time to see beyond his appearance.

i went into town yesterday, it had it's ups and downs...

tried to speak to the council but they weren't having none of it, said i'd have to write a letter outlining what i wanted to talk about before i could get a response/interview.

went to nomad but it was shut, spoke to john there and have arranged a meeting

went to roundabout project but the john there was busy so got to arrange a meeting

spoke to 3 homeless people, who told me what it is like living on the streets.

one estimated that there are currently 20-30 people living rough in sheffield, and it is at its lowest at this time of year.

also.... does anyone know if there is any legistation about erecting temporary structures etc... my project could take this direction but my tutor thinks there isn't any point in doing the project if it's going to break the law!