Homeless friend

[DarrenL]

Hi Guys

Apologies in advance, this isnt going to be a happyfun post.

I have just found out over the weekend an old school friend is homeless. Or rather, he walked out after a huge row with his family- i'm not sure the nature of the argument, but its heavy, whatever it is.

My question is, beside the charity Shelter, does anyone know of anywhere that "supports" homesless people in Central London? Any links to soup kitchens, free accommodation etc.. would be much appreciated. He has been living on the streets for around three weeks from what I can gather.

He can randomly access facebook (how, i'm not sure), but I can get messages to him. I know he is around the Covent Garden area. I have spoken to his brother, who says he is getting food, but we are not sure where from.

P.S Myself, and ALOT of his friends and family have offered him places to stay etc... but he has not responded to messages (both on his wall, and status' and private email)...seemingly, the only one he has contacted is his brother...who lives in China!

Once again PH, thanks for your help.

Darren.

[Tumbler]

http://www.homelesslondon.org/details.asp?id=LP115

Does he want help? Maybe try and arrange to meet up with him, try and get him to a GP/medical center to asses his mental state.

[spikeyhead]

Don't offer charity, just meet him and take him to a chippy for some scran, have a good natter and go from there.

[DarrenL]

Hi Guys, thanks for your responses.

If I do get to meet up with my friend (as I said, he is ignoring all messages, except of those from his brother- who lives in China!), I will be very careful not to offer him "charity", but I will make sure he has a hot meal.

To be honest though, I dont think I will get to meet up with him, i'm pretty certain he will continue to ignore messages.

I have posted the link given in the first response on his Facebook wall, I just hope it helps him out!

Thanks for your help guys, and any links to helpful organisations etc... is appreciated.

[Celt]

Possibly a private message would be better than posting on his wall.

[Celt]

Possibly a private message would be better than posting on his wall.

[Celt]

Possibly a private message would be better than posting on his wall.

[spikeyhead]

Celt said:

Possibly a private message would be better than posting on his wall.

Just don't post it three times, it's likely to piss them off

[neenaw]

Try contacting London Street Rescue, we use them at work to try and help rough sleepers.

http://www.thamesreach.org.uk/what-we-do/on-the-st...

[Celt]

spikeyhead said:

Celt said:

Possibly a private message would be better than posting on his wall.

Just don't post it three times, it's likely to piss them off

Noticed my post count was abit low. Whats a man to do

[rash_decision]

Not meaning to sound cruel, but if he is on the streets, I think this guy needs checked for mental health issues. It's freezing outside, it's December, he obviously had a home, family and friends, but he's chosen to hit the steets!? I know folk who have had arguements in the past and walked out, but they've crashed on a friend or relative's sofa or spare bed for a few nights.

If he is genuinly homeless, I'd be trying to get him to see a GP, or if you are a good friend, as you seem to be, speak to his family and see exactly what happened? Maybe that will give you a better undersatnding to his situation and to why he's chosen the homeless route rather than a frind's sofa!

Is he accessing Facebook through a mobile phone? It tells you on the wall if there are any posts "via mobile device", I'm sure. If not he will need to be using an internet cafe or local library, might be worth looking around these types of places??

Or.......if he's not responding to any messages, how can anyone be sure he's homeless?? Maybe the arguement was over a woman and he's shacked up safe and warm with some woman somewhere watching Chrimbo telly??? This isn't uncommon!!!

[duchess]

perhaps he walked out in order to get away from his previous life, his old friends included...there are many reasons why people walk away from situations, perhaps you should just make it clear you are there for him if he needs anything and just leave him to it.

[DarrenL]

Hi guys

Apologies for not responding sooner- I have had an email from him, thanking me for all the links ive posted.

I think at this stage i'm just going to make sure he knows i'm here if he needs to speak, or needs a place to stay. His Brother is in town soon for Christmas which i'm sure will help.