Give Something More Than Presents This Christmas

Did you know that more than 1 in 3 families across the UK are just one pay check from losing their homes? (Shelter)

As I was walking to university the other day, I came across an all too common sight: a man, bedraggled and lonely, sitting on the side of the pavement with a cup placed in front of him.

No matter where you are in the world, countryside or city, so-called 'developed' country or 'developing', you can't escape the pervasiveness of homelessness. It's an issue with no borders, no end in sight, and for most people who struggle with this every day, little to no hope.

I see dozens of homeless people each day in London, but what struck me about this particular individual was the utter despair etched across his features. He was sitting, sobbing into his hands, unaware of the derisive gazes or lack of interest of the hundreds of people walking past him. 

Now I know that it's impossible to help everyone you walk past on the streets, and I'm aware that there are problems of substance abuse or cases where things may not be completely transparent, but why does that make it okay for us to walk past, unthinking or uncaring? I've volunteered with an organisation at my university which focusses on outreach sessions and raising awareness to know that it's not a simple problem  which can be answered immediately.

It's the dehumanising aspect of homelessness which upsets me the most I think. If a dog was lying unmoving on a pavement in London, I can almost guarantee that within minutes there would be people gathered around it, wondering if there was anything they could do. Why then, do we ignore people lying on the pavements here every day?

People's gazes pass over them as if they don't exist, and aren't worth responding to or acknowledging, as if they're somehow lesser simply because they have been reduced to extreme poverty. I find this so profoundly disturbing, especially when my opening line highlights how close millions of people really are to this happening to them. People disregard them saying 'they just need to get a job', or 'pure laziness', or 'maybe if they stopped taking drugs'. And yes, perhaps in some cases this is true. But now think of those millions of people one paycheque away from not being able to pay their rent, and wonder if maybe there could be more to the problems of homelessness than what people often consider.

Consider the number of women who have escaped violent relationships and saw living on the streets better than living with abuse. I can barely fathom a reality where rough sleeping is a more appealing alternative. Or people with mental health issues who don't know how to get help.

This is an issue which can't be changed or improved overnight, it's something which needs to be addressed by government and requires some structural change to alleviate people's suffering in the long term. 

But there are things you can do, and even if you improve just one person's day, you don't know the impact that could have on them. It's not going to change someone's life, but it might just add a ray of hope and happiness into an otherwise awful day.

Here's a few easy ways you can help:

1. Acknowledge someone's presence, offer to stop and talk, smile, or even just responding negatively to a request for money is better than ignoring someone
2. If you have a loyalty card for a coffee shop and you're owed a free cup of coffee, give it to someone who looks like they need it more than you
3. Donate your time and energy, plenty of homeless shelters or organisations need help, even if you just have a few hours to spare. I volunteered on Christmas day last year and it was the best way I could have spent my morning
4. Get an extra cup of tea or a snack next time you're in Pret and offer it to someone who's spending all day in the freezing cold
5. Alert professionals to the presence of rough sleepers- many people don't know how they can get help. Streetlink can help with this.
6. Donate any spare jackets, blankets or socks to a local charity who distribute them amongst people in need

This year, when you're enjoying all the wonders of Christmas, from the food and drink, to your warm bed, to spending time with your family, spare a thought, hour or cup of coffee for those who are so less fortunate than you.

Give the gift of kindness and compassion this Christmas season.