I wonder how many forumers would help out in the Monday Soup Kitchen, ensuring those less fortunate get a hot supper, would work at The Cathedral Breakfast Club. If you would, why are you not doing it. PM me I'll get you involved.

Would you go and enquire about a person polaxed in the Peace Gardens, or outside the Market Tavern? It could be a stroke or heart attack you would never know.

Would you take them home and give them a meal and some clean clothes where they have messed themselves. And get them into an agency where they can be safe?

I wonder how many people can honestly say yes.

No chance!

No guilt.

Just no way!

Oh, by the way. I aint holier than thou. I am a mental health user. I have been on suicide watch, I am a recovering alcoholic so I really do know what its like on that side of the fence.

I have enough problems of my own without having to think about helping someone that's vulnerable for whatever reason.
Ditto to vengers' comments.

Forgot to add I am MA Communication Studies, BSc Civil Engineering. I taught for 7 years in communication studies to Uni entrance level. I could also be heard on BBC North and BBC Radio Sheffield for 8 years with a program dedicated to Rock'n'Roll. I now hold a responsible position in a large local charity.

I also slept rough. I drank 1000 units of alcohol a week. I mixed with the street people with mental health problems.I lost my teeth fighting and my marriage thru drink. I have been homeless and believe me, I would embrace any one of those eccentrics in town. by the lord Harry they need it.

Dont judge a book by its cover please.

i bought a homeless guy a mcdonalds burger and a cup of tea once does that count?

I bought a homeless guy a Mars bar once...

Originally posted by ToxicFlames
i bought a homeless guy a mcdonalds burger and a cup of tea once

Why, what had he done wrong to you? :heyhey:

Originally posted by venger
No chance!

No guilt.

Just no way!
lets hope youre never in that situation then eh?

the best thing to give a homeless guy or gal is food, To me if someone gave me a quid I'd want another, down Sommerfields and a ltr of White Cider.

Food is cool, and perhaps, if they have a dog some dog biscuits.

So little time and so much to do!!
Does buying a copy of the big issue count towards help?

nitelife, people can take the P out of me as much as they like. I have been there, got the tee shirt, lost the teeth and marriage and come out the other side. In a months time I will resurrect the thread and tell you how many people pm me to help those less fortunate. Whats your guess..... I'd say I would be lucky to get 1/2 a dozen

id say youd be lucky to get one pal

Originally posted by BoppinBruce
I wonder how many forumers would help out in the Monday Soup Kitchen, ensuring those less fortunate get a hot supper, would work at The Cathedral Breakfast Club. If you would, why are you not doing it. PM me I'll get you involved.

Would you go and enquire about a person polaxed in the Peace Gardens, or outside the Market Tavern? It could be a stroke or heart attack you would never know.

Would you take them home and give them a meal and some clean clothes where they have messed themselves. And get them into an agency where they can be safe?

I wonder how many people can honestly say yes.

I'd have to say "NO". But then I don't believe that alcoholism is something that can't be helped. I would rather donate my time and money to those who have problems through no fault of their own (ie. blood donation, cancer research, orphaned children).

And probably 9 times out of 10 the person polaxed in the Peace Gardens has probably just passed out from having consumed so many units of alcohol. Surely it was their choice to drink that much?

Now say a little child's parents die in car crash - that to me is a more worthy charity. But alcoholism, I think you drive yourself to that.

Originally posted by JonJParr
I'd have to say "NO". But then I don't believe that alcoholism is something that can't be helped. I would rather donate my time and money to those who have problems through no fault of their own (ie. blood donation, cancer research, orphaned children).

And probably 9 times out of 10 the person polaxed in the Peace Gardens has probably just passed out from having consumed so many units of alcohol. Surely it was their choice to drink that much?

Now say a little child's parents die in car crash - that to me is a more worthy charity. But alcoholism, I think you drive yourself to that.

youve convinced me

gimmie pound back lol

3 years ago i would've said 'yes i'd love to help' and i would've done too, but since moving to sheffield my eyes have been open to the reality of the majority of the people living on the streets of sheffield. for instance the majority of them are there because they abuse drugs or alcohol, thats not my problem i'm afraid. i would still happily help someone who genuinely needed help who ended up on the streets through no fault of their own but lets face it, sheffield probably has one or two who are in genuine need.

almost all of the people on the streets have been offered help in the past (look for previous threads) they chose not to take it so i choose not to waste my time trying to help them.

I can honestly say yes, I would and have.

Not all these cases can be helped but my family is living proof that some can and have a "normal" life too.

Good God, what's the matter with most of you on this thread? :loopy:

I'm absolutely stunned, this is not at all the reaction I'd expect from the Sheffield Forum, normally a place to find nice, kind, friendly, socially-concerned, fair-minded people :confused:

Mental health problems are as much a medical problem as physical health problems, and to say they are self-inflicted is to be judgemental beyond words. Alcoholism is an illness, as are schizophrenia, clinical depression and other afflictions that can so damage a person's life that they can end up on the streets.

And what about the people who end up living rough because of divorce or losing their job, and what safety nets there are in society have failed them? It's their own fault, so they don't deserve any help?

Severe illness and/or financial difficulties can potentially happen to ANYONE - just thank your lucky stars it's not happened to you - yet.

Be grateful.

End of rant.

StarSparkle

Alcoholism is not an illness in the sense you don't just wake up one morning to find yourself afflicted by it through no fault of your own. The other examples that you mention schizophrenia and clinical depression are as their namesake "clinical" which suggests the problem is medical.

Alcoholism is not medical and as such isn't clinical and it is self-inflicted. We wouldn't say that a smoker has an illness! I don't wish to come to blows with you StarSparkle but I genuinely don't feel that alcoholism can be classed as an illness. However, that isn't to say that I'm not compassionate!

Originally posted by JonJParr
Alcoholism is not an illness in the sense you don't just wake up one morning to find yourself afflicted by it through no fault of your own. The other examples that you mention schizophrenia and clinical depression are as their namesake "clinical" which suggests the problem is medical.

Alcoholism is not medical and as such isn't clinical and it is self-inflicted. I don't wish to come to blows with you StarSparkle but I genuinely don't feel that alcoholism can be classed as an illness.

So are you going to question a homeless person before kindly offering them your help? If you deem they're worthy of that help ie they've got a medical excuse for being homeless, then you'll help, otherwise it's 'tough luck pal'?

Do you really think someone CHOOSES to be living on the streets, hungry and wet, vulnerable to assault, etc unless they have no other choice?

It's appallingly easy to fall foul of the 'system' - for example, you divorce or get ill and can't work for a few months, you fall behind with your mortgage and can't pay it, bills start stacking up, your home is re-possessed, you have no relatives you can live with temporarily, you're on a council house 'waiting list' - what do you do? Where do you go? Is it all your own fault?

I repeat, just be thankful it's not you in that situation.

It must be great to be on that high horse and able to look down on all the lesser mortals from up there

StarSparkle :(

Originally posted by StarSparkle
So are you going to question a homeless person before kindly offering them your help? If you deem they're worthy of that help ie they've got a medical excuse for being homeless, then you'll help, otherwise it's 'tough luck pal'?

Do you really think someone CHOOSES to be living on the streets, hungry and wet, vulnerable to assault, etc unless they have no other choice?

It's appallingly easy to fall foul of the 'system' - for example, you divorce or get ill and can't work for a few months, you fall behind with your mortgage and can't pay it, bills start stacking up, your home is re-possessed, you have no relatives you can live with temporarily, you're on a council house 'waiting list' - what do you do? Where do you go? Is it all your own fault?

I repeat, just be thankful it's not you in that situation.

It must be great to be on that high horse and able to look down on all the lesser mortals from up there

StarSparkle :(

You know what StarSparkle, I entirely agree with you.
However, the examples you used were of those who divorced or got ill. What I specifically referred to in my previous post was alcoholism - not divorce or illness. There is no genuine validity to being an alcoholic unlike divorce or illness. That is the distinction I'm making.

You're also entirely correct when you say people don't choose to live on the street and risk all of the above and I agree with you. However, I believe someone chooses to drink 2, 3 maybe even 4 bottles of cider in a day. How can I feel compassion towards someone whose problem is self-inflicted?

No high horse involved in my argument at all.

Originally posted by nitelife40
lets hope youre never in that situation then eh?

Sorry flower, you know sod all about me!

I have paid plenty towards plenty of charities and worked for others (voluntarily).

Have suffered from alcoholism, abused drugs and suffered mental illness :suspect: .......?who said that? :P

I was responding to a question, which is something you have clearly not done.

I have my opinions and own questions, perhaps you should not be so fast to criticize ;)

Originally posted by venger
Sorry flower, you know sod all about me!

I have paid plenty towards plenty of charities and worked for others (voluntarily).

Have suffered from alcoholism, abused drugs and suffered mental illness :suspect: .......?who said that? :P

I was responding to a question, which is something you have clearly not done.

I have my opinions and own questions, perhaps you should not be so fast to criticize ;)
Hmmmmmmmmm:confused:

Originally posted by JonJParr
You know what StarSparkle, I entirely agree with you.
However, the examples you used were of those who divorced or got ill. What I specifically referred to in my previous post was alcoholism - not divorce or illness. There is no genuine validity to being an alcoholic unlike divorce or illness. That is the distinction I'm making.

You're also entirely correct when you say people don't choose to live on the street and risk all of the above and I'd agree with you. However, I believe someone chooses to drink 2, 3 maybe even 4 bottles of cider in a day. How can I feel compassion towards someone whose problem is self-inflicted?

No high horse involved in my argument at all.

I hear what you're saying.

I was taking issue with the whole tone of the responses to BoppinBruce's original question - responses which seriously shocked me. The general feeling seemed to be that homeless people were on the streets through their own faults, and were therefore not deserving of the help of people of stronger 'moral-fibre'. That phrase may not have been used, but it's presence was there loud and clear.

I was trying to make the point that its not just the 'dregs of society' who can end up on the streets, but ' normal people' who fall on bad times. Even then, to think of people in terms of 'deserving' and 'undeserving' of help or sympathy is horribly judgemental and really quite offensively arrogant. "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone" and all that.

I purposely did not specifically refer to alcoholism as you did in my second posting, as I admit I do not know that much about it, except to say that it's my understanding that Alcoholism is now generally accepted as being a disease. People can be born with a tendency towards it, as they can for depression, for example.

Admittedly, it's a person's choice whether or not to drink alcohol in the first place, but if a person does have a genetic weakness that predisposes them to alcoholism, how far can it be said that their problem is self-inflicted?

StarSparkle

Originally posted by StarSparkle
People can be born with a tendency towards it, as they can for depression, for example.

Admittedly, it's a person's choice whether or not to drink alcohol in the first place, but if a person does have a genetic weakness that predisposes them to alcoholism, how far can it be said that their problem is self-inflicted?

I think that alcoholism being in someway inherent is still very much theory and certainly isn't widely accepted.

I once found a desperate, bewildered, bedraggled and barking dog that had been dumped on the hard shoulder of the M62. I took him in and he rewarded my kindness with almost 13 years of loyalty, fun and companionship that us mortals would be ashamed of. Never complained, always did as he was told, no vices or prejudices and always happy to see me. Yes, i think more of showing humanity to animals than to animals that think they are human.

Originally posted by Yorky
I once found a desperate, bewildered, bedraggled and barking dog that had been dumped on the hard shoulder of the M62. I took him in and he rewarded my kindness with almost 13 years of loyalty, fun and companionship that us mortals would be ashamed of. Never complained, always did as he was told, no vices or prejudices and always happy to see me. Yes, i think more of showing humanity to animals than to animals that think they are human.

:hihi: dogs are stupid though, nothing against you :)

People should be ashamed of the way we live. quote .

Originally posted by StarSparkle
I admit I do not know that much about it, except to say that it's my understanding that Alcoholism is now generally accepted as being a disease. People can be born with a tendency towards it, as they can for depression, for example.

StarSparkle

They are both genetic and clinical conditions.

Would you take in a tramp, alcoholic or person with mental health prob ? off the streets, the point was made in the original post.

I got the impression that Boppin_Bruce was looking for a response.....

He got it....

Nobody seems to be answering the simple question that was posed though!

Would you take in a tramp, alcoholic or person with mental health prob ? off the streets, the point was made in the original post.
Nobody seems to be answering the simple question that was posed though! [/B][/QUOTE]

yes i have and would do again and again and again .......:D

How do you define Tramp, Alcoholic, Mental Health Problems ? I have friends who are scruffy, untidy and look unkempt but i wouldn't call them tramps. If you drink more than 2 units a day does this mean you are alcoholic? Just because your thought and behaviour process is not stereotype does this mean you suffer from mental health ? We're a nation of putting labels on things.

Sorry, Venger, but I'm a bit confused by your last posting? :confused:

There's a large quote included in your posting supposedly quoted from me, but only the first paragraph of the quote was actually written by me.

I don't mean to be pedantic, but could you correct it?

Cheers,

StarSparkle

Originally posted by StarSparkle
Sorry, Venger, but I'm a bit confused by your last posting? :confused:

There's a large quote included in your posting supposedly quoted from me, but only the first paragraph of the quote was actually written by me.

I don't mean to be pedantic, but could you correct it?

Cheers,

StarSparkle

Oops, I was too quick off the mark there, I see you've already sorted it :thumbsup:

Many thanks,

StarSparkle :)

Originally posted by nitelife40
lets hope youre never in that situation then eh?


Originally posted by nitelife40
Would you take in a tramp, alcoholic or person with mental health prob ? off the streets, the point was made in the original post.
Nobody seems to be answering the simple question that was posed though!

yes i have and would do again and again and again .......:D [/B][/QUOTE]


Well good for you and those concerned.

Whenever going through town I always give money to the old homeless guys in town, most of which probably are alcoholics, but they tend to be more honest than a lot of the younger men on the streets who can be quite nasty when you can't give them anything.

Last year I was walking with a friend to a house party from the Lescar, still with pint in hand, when an old homeless tramp walking past asked if he could have some of our beer. We stopped chatted shared the beer with him. Between us we manged to scrape together a fiver for him to help him out. Andf we felt so much for the poor guy, We invited him to the party we were going to. He wasn't sure at first thinking he might be imposing, but we convinced him, and took him along. All the people at the party greeted him very warmly, gave him free drinks and to see the smile on his face made it all worth while. Okay he did smell of wee and booze, but was a lovely character and nice to think he had a warm place to stay for the night and good company.

I'd do the same thing again if the situation arose. Mainly with the old homeless/tramp crowd as you can tell they are in real difficulties as opposed to some of the youngsters who can be chancers.

And all pity for the alcoholics, you can't chose these things and it is next to impossible to give up. Also there is very strong evidence that addictive tendencies is inherited (either through nature or nurture) not neccesarily alcoholism but being extremely prone to addiction to something, whether that be drink, drugs, sex or compulsive sofa buying. Not everyones life is so cut and dry.

Well said aNTacid. I know an alcoholic and went to a councelling session with him and the coucellor said that addictiveness is actually inherited. He went back to him mum and found out that his grandad was as alcoholic too

Originally posted by BoppinBruce
Forgot to add I am MA Communication Studies, BSc Civil Engineering. I taught for 7 years in communication studies to Uni entrance level. I could also be heard on BBC North and BBC Radio Sheffield for 8 years with a program dedicated to Rock'n'Roll. I now hold a responsible position in a large local charity.

I also slept rough. I drank 1000 units of alcohol a week. I mixed with the street people with mental health problems.I lost my teeth fighting and my marriage thru drink. I have been homeless and believe me, I would embrace any one of those eccentrics in town. by the lord Harry they need it.

Dont judge a book by its cover please.

sorry this is probably going to sound really harsh....

But you would probably only help these people becasue you know whta its like to be them.
If you hadn't been through the same situation as them you may have never given them a second glance.

Sorry just my view!!
Yes you can criticise me.. and yes i do hope i never find myself in that situation.

That is all

Originally posted by JonJParr
I'd have to say "NO". But then I don't believe that alcoholism is something that can't be helped. I would rather donate my time and money to those who have problems through no fault of their own (ie. blood donation, cancer research, orphaned children).

And probably 9 times out of 10 the person polaxed in the Peace Gardens has probably just passed out from having consumed so many units of alcohol. Surely it was their choice to drink that much?

Now say a little child's parents die in car crash - that to me is a more worthy charity. But alcoholism, I think you drive yourself to that.

your post bleeds ignorance mate.
I'm sorry but it scares me that your views on alcoholism are so naive. I'm guessing you've never seen a relative destroyed by alcohol.

Originally posted by Carl_Malibu
your post bleeds ignorance mate.
I'm sorry but it scares me that your views on alcoholism are so naive. I'm guessing you've never seen a relative destroyed by alcohol.

Naive would seem to suggest that I no nothing about the effects of alcohol on the body, on a relationship, on a life. Labelling me as naive would also seem to suggest that you are the only source of reliable information on the subject. I'd dare to say that your post demonstrates ignorance. You dismiss my views without so much as an example or a substantiation. I would say that is ignorance.

I've never seen a relative destroyed by alcohol but I have met those dependent on alcohol on a number of occasions. From what I've witnessed their dependency does have a massive impact on their lives but they would be the first to admit they "turned to the drink". Most that want to reform their lives and be free of the addiction don't try and pass it off as something "hereditary" - they simply just want to be sober.

At the end of the day, disease is beyond our control - we get a cold without picking when it happens, we get cancer without picking when it happens but we choose to pour ourselves a glass of alcohol. I think it's insulting to even consider putting alcoholism in the same category as something like breast cancer.

Its obviously a very emotive subject, isn't it. Some people have breast cancer and an addiction to alcohol!

To me, the real heroes are those who help homeless people, alcoholics, cancer patients, etc, without feeling the need to shout it from the rooftop. There are many things that make people volunteer their time and money, something tells me this thread isn't one of them...

Originally posted by JonJParr
Naive would seem to suggest that I no nothing about the effects of alcohol on the body, on a relationship, on a life. Labelling me as naive would also seem to suggest that you are the only source of reliable information on the subject. I'd dare to say that your post demonstrates ignorance. You dismiss my views without so much as an example or a substantiation. I would say that is ignorance.

I've never seen a relative destroyed by alcohol but I have met those dependent on alcohol on a number of occasions. From what I've witnessed their dependency does have a massive impact on their lives but they would be the first to admit they "turned to the drink". Most that want to reform their lives and be free of the addiction don't try and pass it off as something "hereditary" - they simply just want to be sober.

At the end of the day, disease is beyond our control - we get a cold without picking when it happens, we get cancer without picking when it happens but we choose to pour ourselves a glass of alcohol. I think it's insulting to even consider putting alcoholism in the same category as something like breast cancer.

sorry it is a subject that I feel strongly about. Indeed I shouldn't have been so quick to judge.

and indeed cancer and alcoholism are two completely seperate things, but still two very real problems that need dealing with.

Alcoholism is closely linked with depression and various other forms of mental illness
and they are illnesses, and it worries me that no one seems to be saying much about it. The doctors push pills into peoples hands and thats about it. But then, that is veering off topic.

Originally posted by BoppinBruce
I wonder how many forumers would help out in the Monday Soup Kitchen, ensuring those less fortunate get a hot supper, would work at The Cathedral Breakfast Club. If you would, why are you not doing it. PM me I'll get you involved.

Would you go and enquire about a person polaxed in the Peace Gardens, or outside the Market Tavern? It could be a stroke or heart attack you would never know.

Would you take them home and give them a meal and some clean clothes where they have messed themselves. And get them into an agency where they can be safe?

I wonder how many people can honestly say yes.

i used to hang around the peace gardens :)

also when i lived up pitsmoor i once was walking up the whicker into town at night and there was a welsh couple with a dog sleeping in a doorway, on the way home they were still there, so we invited em back to the flat for the night.........they were sound

This division of deserving (kiddies with cancer) and undeserving (winos) reminds me of Brass Eye with Chris Morris defining 'good' and 'bad' AIDS.
Good AIDS - transfusion, not your fault.
Bad AIDS - you went out and caught it you filthy slapper - no sympathy for you!

Originally posted by steelcitybab
sorry this is probably going to sound really harsh....

But you would probably only help these people becasue you know whta its like to be them.
If you hadn't been through the same situation as them you may have never given them a second glance.

Sorry just my view!!
Yes you can criticise me.. and yes i do hope i never find myself in that situation.

That is all

I helped someone and had no experience of what was happening at all. It was a life changing experience for me in more sense than one.

Originally posted by venger
yes i have and would do again and again and again .......:D


Well good for you and those concerned. [/B][/QUOTE]
how do you live with your selfish ways .more so how do those around you .

Originally posted by BoppinBruce
I wonder how many forumers would help out in the Monday Soup Kitchen, ensuring those less fortunate get a hot supper, would work at The Cathedral Breakfast Club. If you would, why are you not doing it. PM me I'll get you involved.

Would you go and enquire about a person polaxed in the Peace Gardens, or outside the Market Tavern? It could be a stroke or heart attack you would never know.

Would you take them home and give them a meal and some clean clothes where they have messed themselves. And get them into an agency where they can be safe?

I wonder how many people can honestly say yes.

To answer the questions posed by BoppinBruce....

Soup Kitchen - no. I have no motivation to do this.
Somebody polaxed - yes. I have done this already.
Take home for a meal, etc. - no. I am not sufficiently altruistic to bring a stranger into my own home, provide a meal and clean clothes if they have messed themselves.

Fortunately there are organisations, e.g. the Salvation Army, night shelters, etc., who have the resources to assist the homeless.

no to all I'm afraid.

Originally posted by BoppinBruce
Oh, by the way. I aint holier than thou. I am a mental health user. I have been on suicide watch, I am a recovering alcoholic so I really do know what its like on that side of the fence.
Have done it for a living mate, 16 yrs in the NHS.
Can empathise as I've also had a year on Happy Pills.
Spent a lot of that unable to go to sleep without a dram too.
(I'm normal now though :mrgreen: )
Have got a trampy recluse friend who I slip a few quid whenever I'm near his house.

I once (and only once) went to the missus's church for Xmas mass &, while I sat looking round at all the well dressed folk listening to the 'think-of-the-poor-this-Xmas' sermon, this very issue went through my mind too.

Take one & feed them?
Quite possibly but I'd have to know & trust them first - I don't want ripping off... And it happens :thumbsup:

kindest thoughts

;)

It's an interesting question to pose, would you take them home, clean them up (presumably), give them clothes and feed them.

But before I can answer that question, I have to ask myself another question.

And it this one. Would admitting them to my home put my family at any sort of risk?

That is the important thing to me.

And on reflection, for me, the answer would have to be 'no'.

An individual may pose no risk whatsoever. But you just don't know, do you?

In my experience, desperate people often do desperate things. And I would not want my family to have to put up with any potential consequences.

I wouldnt personally take a tramp home with me to feed them and give them a change of clothes. I have donated money to charities in the past and i pay tax to go towars the state benefits etc, so I would be annoyed if someone passed judgement on me because other they though my responsibility to these people should go further.

Originally posted by nitelife40
Well good for you and those concerned.
how do you live with your selfish ways .more so how do those around you . [/B][/QUOTE]

PMSL leave it alone nitelife40

You are starting to sound like an idiot, I am sure you are not though.

People can call me many things, but selfish is not one of them :rolleyes:

your post appear very intolerable of others and their unfortunate circumstances.forgive me for thinking certain things of you ..i dont claim to be correct . but what i dont like is the cruel way things are written in reply to others posts. which i think one of your replys went along the lines of "No way No how" perhaps being more subtle would help change the way people view you. im sure youre a wonderful person and posts do niggle .perhaps we should all look at how we portray ourselves when we reply to them .me included!! / good luck .. shake hands mate? :thumbsup:

I totally agree with Vengers and Dishwashers posts in all aspects.

i wouldnt take them into my home, i do however donate on occasion to charities..

i once resuscitated a heroin overdose guy(he was also a mental health user) in town and kept him alive till the ambulance came only to be thanked with "i am gonna sue you for the damage to my jacket"!!! he had collapsed in the street in the rain and was wanting me to pay for it after i had saved his life!

i would and do help people but i am wary now of what help i offer

http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?s=&threadid=37887&perpage=15&pagenumber=1



i started this thread recently. have a scan through and see why i nolonger give to beggers.
i buy a big issue now and again but REFUSE to give money anymore

There seems to be a train of thought amongst a few people who've contributed to this topic that , other than the , "unfortunates " in our society , everyone else leads a carefree , happy , problem-less life ! Not so !
Most people , I guess have various mid-range problems and simply couldn't cope with housing or looking after a person in great distress. Since we're one of the most highly taxed people in the world , most people will be asking themselves , "Why do we pay all this tax and then people put moral pressure on us to give to charity too ?".
Could it be that the various governments squander so much money on Domes and Wars and such-like that they haven't enough left over to support our desperate cases ?
Those who ask people to give to charity or committ themselves to other charitable acts should first make sure that they put lots of pressure on the government of the day to solve the problem. They're the ones who should be providing the real solution , via our enormous tax bills.

No i wouldn't take in anyone like that either, my friend did once, brought some poor guy home for lunch, came back and robbed them next day.

But i did pay for an old lady's groceries at that supermarket check out one time, no idea who she was but looked poor, lots of dog and cat food in her basket, i took off while she was still in shock.

would you take in a tramp, alchoholic, or a person with mental problems ?

no,never again, i just divorced one ....... :shakes:

It would be a bad idea to take someone in unless you absolutely knew how to help them, you could do more harm than good. Addiction is such a powerful thing and you have to remember that addicts will do almost anything to get their next fix of whatever their 'poison' happens to be. If someone wants help then it would be far better to assist them in seaking help from professionals who know how to deal with their individual problems.

The same applies to young kids who are almost in the gutter. They need help before they end up with no future.

I personally couldn't walk past someone laid out in the street unsure of whether they were dying from a heart attack, alcohol poisoning or a drug overdose - how could I live with myself?!

................................................

I would take in a Tramp, although I don't live anywhere near Sheffield.

There, but for the Grace of God, go I.

I'd have to say "NO". But then I don't believe that alcoholism is something that can't be helped. I would rather donate my time and money to those who have problems through no fault of their own (ie. blood donation, cancer research, orphaned children).

And probably 9 times out of 10 the person polaxed in the Peace Gardens has probably just passed out from having consumed so many units of alcohol. Surely it was their choice to drink that much?

Now say a little child's parents die in car crash - that to me is a more worthy charity. But alcoholism, I think you drive yourself to that.





Some people are so narrow minded and haven't obviously seen how some people live and what some people have to deal with. I think your comment is immature and selfish.

id have to say "yes" to helpin out in a soup ktchen. im no alco or drug abuser but have suffered with mental illness in the past...i didnt loose my job or home or anything like that but do no how alienated u feel due to mental health problems

I would not take a tramp into my home as I would feel uncomfortable.

When I eventually retire (long way away yet) I hope to volunteer for things like this, though I have to admitt mainly for selfish reasons. As much as possible as I cannot think I anything worse than sitting at home all day on my own and I can't see that there will be much in the pension pot by the time I get there (even though I'm payng in a fair bit)
so I will not have money to keep myself busy :lol:

I sound so selfish :( but at least I'm honest.

While I would gladly help out someone in trouble for a day or two I would most definitely not take in anyone long term. I grew up with a paranoid schizophrenic mother - a dismal experience - and with a heroin addicted sister - also no fun. People in these situations can give nothing back and I would not inflict them on my family.

Forgot to add I am MA Communication Studies, BSc Civil Engineering. I taught for 7 years in communication studies to Uni entrance level. I could also be heard on BBC North and BBC Radio Sheffield for 8 years with a program dedicated to Rock'n'Roll. I now hold a responsible position in a large local charity.

I also slept rough. I drank 1000 units of alcohol a week. I mixed with the street people with mental health problems.I lost my teeth fighting and my marriage thru drink. I have been homeless and believe me, I would embrace any one of those eccentrics in town. by the lord Harry they need it.

Dont judge a book by its cover please.

Not all of us judge a book by its cover .I worked with the mentally handicapped and loved it

I do work in mental health and don't know why i bother half the time.

Ha ha....................................:hihi:!

I do work in mental health and don't know why i bother half the time.
Evidently you made the wrong career choice, perhaps something that doesn't include working with people might suit you better? :rolleyes:

In regards to alcoholism what about those who are mentally ill and self medicate with say, alcohol? Are they worthy of help only because they have mental health problems?

I do work in mental health and don't know why i bother half the time.

If thats your attitude I dont know why you bother at all, there are so many like you in the mental health sector who just do it for a wage, To be quite honest i think you are all a load of frauds!

.................................................

I do work in mental health and don't know why i bother half the time.


Its people like you who stop people who have mental illnesses getting better, they try and get help and the person they ask just doesnt care or isnt bothered.

You need to change your job.:rant:

i would like to find the one which brakes into cars early hours of the morning then goes for his free soup dinner at the cathedral, and dont say "its not them" funny how its only started since that place opened! f**k em. i think its such a shame to waste part of the cathedral on a bunch of thieving / smack heads, and i know some are decent but why bolt it onto such a beautiful building! i was sat outside the cathedral a couple of weeks ago having some lunch with my fiancee and a couple of smackheads came around from the soup kitchen and sat on the wall, then proceeded to show his infected penis to another "worthy soup kitchen smackhead" infront of all around the cathedral! Geat idea 10 point for such a great idea putting that place. they should stick it in the middle of the M1 and make it 10 point per smack head!!

Is this satire?

Chris1983- 'Smackheads' bad, drinkers good?

If i didnt have children in the house to worry about then my answer would be yes to all

Chris1983- 'Smackheads' bad, drinkers good?

Yeah thats right Smackheads are bad and drinkers are more acceptable. if you are having a dig at my footer, im not a real alcoholic, more a binge drinker! :hihi: the point im having is there is plenty of other places in and around the city centre, why put it in the most beautiful spot in town! its like trowing litter in the countryside, its just not on! and there are loads of kids playing in that area, what a great example to show your children, i heard they have just got permission to put the new drug rehabilitation in the winter gardens! so they can play in the fountains after shooting up!

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Interesting...........................

It did occur to me that it was quite sad that the man had to show his infected penis to his friend in such a public place. And that isn't it sad that his 'home' is so public and 'open'.


Not really, its properley down to the fact that he spent all his rent on smack, and his penis is infected from sharing needles with his smack head friends. so no its not sad. if anything they are no better than the pigeons that hang around the cathedral.

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25 years ago my partner spent 6 long months living on the streets. This was at a time when there weren't loads of hostels and charities helping the homeless. He had 2 choices - go to the YMCA and spend the nights in an un-safe dormatory with drug addicts/alcoholics/perverts or sleep rough. He chose the sleeping rough option. He was homeless through no fault of his own - He had lived at home with his mum and dad and found out that his mum was having an affair so he got chucked out. It was autumn time and he managed to find a dis-used garage at the back of a large council estate. He slept rough in the empty garage for a full winter. He had to get washed in a cold stream cos there wasn't anywhere else. Sometimes he was so cold he thought he would die. He wasn't an alcoholic or drug user - just a regular lad who'd been chucked out. No-one came and rescued him. No charities helped him. He had to help himself and that's exactly what he did..... As it was winter he walked round the housing estates asking people if they wanted snow shovelling from their garden paths for 10 pence. When the weather got better he did odd-jobs for people - painting guttering, tidying gardens etc. Eventually he had £10 to pay the deposit on a shared bed-sit - Filthy place where you wouldn't want to leave your dog. Eventually he got himself a job working 12 hours a night welding for £1.50 an hour - dirty/hard/physical work. Do you know what he did with his first pay packet??? Most homeless people would spend it down the pub but not him - he spent it on a deposit for a better flat. He then got a better job and eventually bought his first house sometimes doing 3 jobs to pay for it. He now owns a house worth over 250K and its paid for in full. He also runs his own business and has significant savings. He says he will never be homeless again and paying his house off has been his priority for the past 20 years. He hates homeless people and never gives them anything because he thinks they should do exactly what he did - help themselves !!!

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Come to Woodhouse, you can pick from a selection, loitering around, alcholics smackheads we've now got them all.
I'm sure St Annes wouldn't miss a few and it would make Woodhouse village a better place, if they were all placed in loving homes.

Harsh............................................. .................... there but for the grace of 'god' go I and all that.


What? :huh:

.................................................. ....

Wonder what BoppinBruce is doing now - 4 years on.

................................................

Do you mean the saying? 'There but for the grace of 'god' go I'

If you do mean that, it means be kind to people less fortunate than yourself because in another life, or had you taken a different turn, you or your loved ones could be that homeless person.

It means you're 'up' now but who knows what might happen tomorrow or the next day, you could be that smackhead.

Apologies if I am bringing coal to Newcastle (all the phrases are coming out now!) and you meant something else.

no your right im not a religious person so i dont know the quote. thanks

Wonder what BoppinBruce is doing now - 4 years on.

Just had a look at his posts and the last thing was asking about hamsters in Feb 08. Hopefully he's not back in the peace gardens!

Is this satire?

:)

At least not everybody on here is stupid.

Its people like you who stop people who have mental illnesses getting better, they try and get help and the person they ask just doesnt care or isnt bothered.

You need to change your job.:rant:

Now, that seems like a particularly harsh and unfair assumption.

You have to ask yourself why he feels like this - is it the patients, or the system that make him feel like that? If the latter then you have no place judging him as such, as they may have enthusiasm for the job, but not the support/funding/resources to make a difference and hence feels their input is utter useless.

Shame on you.

95% of homeless people are there because:

a) The parents threw them out for being an arse, and now have a life of crime
b) Are raging alcoholics
c) Are drugged up at every waking hour

5% maybe there for some very sad and unfortunate reason.

Personally, when I'm working my balls off for 40 hours a week I have very little patience with people who choose a life of leisure.

.................................................. ...........

It came across more that he was talking about the kind of people he worked with as opposed to the system

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1000 units a week?!

Do you mean patients or staff?
I got the impression he meant the patients

But i could be wrong

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****deleted****

1000 units a week?!

About 5 bottles of whisky a day. You couldn't sustain that intake for very long.

Few years ago felt sorry for a tramp in Covent Garden who asked me for money for food. So I went and bought him a baked potato with chilli and cheese. He just threw it in the nearest bin - said he couldn't eat that spicy s&%t and would rather have the money.

.................................................. ..

:)

At least not everybody on here is stupid.

Everyone else has tried it and realised the futility of responding.

Might do, depending on the circumstances. Like if it was someone I vaguely knew, or a fellow lass. And if I had the spare room and wasn't super busy, and a way of keeping, say, my important work-stuff safe from accidents (otherwise I'd have no money and then there'd be an extra homeless person on the streets, which really wouldn't be helpful to anyone).

Read The Grapes of Wrath for the first time a few months ago, and one thing that really struck me was how those less well-off were much more willing to help out those who were also less well-off. I wonder if that is true in real life as well?

That said, as I'm getting older and less sociable generally, I think I'd be more and more inclined to just donate money where I could to a charity or project that is professionally trained to help out. It's like I do believe in a better society and helping people- I just sometimes think I can't be ar**d to get involved on a personal basis.

:hihi:............................................ ..............................

Would you go and enquire about a person polaxed in the Peace Gardens, or outside the Market Tavern? It could be a stroke or heart attack you would never know.


ive usually found that when i have ome across these situations there has usually been someone there to assist before me so no point me sticking my nose in. and you never know the situation really, you could end up getting hurt or caught in a cross fire or anything really.

Would you take them home and give them a meal and some clean clothes where they have messed themselves. And get them into an agency where they can be safe?


no i wouldnt invite them into my home, i have small children to think of and to invite a total stranger into our family home would be a huge no no for me. it is meant to be a safe secure place for my children to be not a free house for any wafe and stray.

and to be very honest and to the point i work full time and have a family to look after so i have no spare time at all for myself let alone to stop and help strangers i see passed out or to help anyone get into any agency or what ever else is needed for them to be safe.

I go round the cemetry off cemetry rd , I give food to the homeless drunks or whatever, My friends and I take hot water pot noodles and do try to do something , some of them are clients from the benz centre but they seem to miss out on the cathederal breakfast project as they are banned from street drinking from the city centre, they seem to get ignored by people who work on this project.

I feinted once and had a seizure when I was about 15, everyone ignored me because they probably thought I was on drugs but I was just very ill, so I always help people who are unconcious. When I feinted on the bus wearing a linnen dress and a wicker basket and looked all a well to do young lady there was mass panic, everyone helped me! Its all how you look, but you can't judge someone like that.

But I wouldn't take someone into my house for the simple reason...they would steal from me to buy alcohol or drugs. so.....no. I'm skint enough.

I could say yes! But not gonna do it all by myself!