**Boxing Day Walkabout** Our Boxing Day Walkabout started at the monument where we met a few of our street friends. We had a big bag full of selection boxes ready to hand out along with some festive cheer. We had a helper on the team on Friday who was on the streets himself until a few months ago. He wanted to get involved on our walkabout to be able to help others and maybe see some old friends and offer hope that things can change for them as it has for him. We handed out some hot drinks and had a chat until it was time to say our goodbyes. We then spotted a familiar face to mww and went over to say hello and give him a drink. Our street friend was a little down, which was mainly due to the cold. He had managed to get in to a hostel for over Christmas but was ready to be facing another night sleeping rough. He has hopefully got a flat lined up in January but has to face a few more weeks out in the cold until this happens. He can see a small light at the end of his tunnel. We then went back to the cars ready to load up for walkabout. As we were just about to head off jo spotted a familiar face and he came over, a young lad whos banning order from the city centre had just ended. He was desperate for a sleeping bag and some hot food. We got him sorted out with as much food as possible and watched him head off in to the night. Its always hard to watch someone leave when you know all they have in the world is what they are carrying on their back. We then set off on our travels, we always look a sight with all the bags and trolleys we have with us and were asked numerous times during the night if we were travellers or homeless ourselves. We have noticed that while we are walking around attitudes to us change from our everyday lives with some people who judge us being homeless ourselves and we have had insults and became invisible at times. This is nothing to what our street friends contend with on a daily basis. As we got further round to an area we know a lot of our street friends gather. As we were walking up we saw a few street friends heading our way. One lad in particular came running over to our helper and was so pleased to see him. They chatted and later he shared that a few months back when they had last spoken to each other he had given our street friend some advice and during their chat on friday he told him that he never forgot what he said to him and it gives him hope he can get his life back on track too. As we parked up our trolleys and bags we started handing out hot drinks and food, within minutes we had a group of hungry and cold street friends around us. One man was new to mww, one of the lads told him about us so he came to find us. One guy told us about the Police begging squad, who are helping people on the streets and seemed happier knowing they were being looked out for. Another guy turned up who we have met a few times and who is really quiet. We chatted for a little while then headed off, a little later we saw him again. He was just wandering around looking for people to talk to. His street friends. He just seemed so lonely we all felt that from him. Imagine just walking the streets looking desperately for someone to have a conversation with? We can pick up the phone and call a friend or a relative, some people have no one at all. As always the right people are there at the right time and out helper knew him from his time on the streets and they shared a memory of kindness when this guy had given him a sneakers bar. In return I would like to think this guy was given hope that his life can change too. We met a really young and vulnerable lad who had, had no sleep for 24 hours, we gave him a sleeping bag, hat, gloves, drink, and some food. He told us that he had went back to his grandmas for Christmas but was kicked out on Christmas Day. I know we dont know the circumstances surrounding this but it breaks my heart to think of anyone being on their own, especially at Christmas. We headed through town and bumped in to a few more street friends. One in particular was looking much better than last time we seen him. We then saw a guy who the team had met the week before and was new to the streets through losing his job. He had managed to get a caravan for a couple of weeks but got burned out so was back sleeping rough on the streets. He just seemed so low and down, cold and hungry. What must he be feeling when a few months ago he had a home and a job. At this point we had ran out of hot water and asked the street pastors for assistance in filling up. Massive thankyou again to you guys. You do a great job and we are grateful for your support and letting us rest our legs while the kettle boiled. We headed back out and saw a lad who had been staying with a friend but was back out on the streets. As we were talking to him we heard the bells chiming, it was 12am and he said its my birthday now. We gave him what we had, a pack of snowballs and a selection box. This was really sad and I know we all felt a little helpless. Maybe we were the only ones to wish him happy birthday, but I am hoping that he found some happiness yesterday. Lastly the thing that got us all tonight is the attached picture of a street friend asleep in a doorway. The chosen doorway, the housing advice centre. This is a juxtapose of the realities of life that every city, community and council in this country face. When we saw this we all just stood for a long time in silence. As we stood there, groups of people walked past. No one really took any notice of this guy but one group chose to shout abuse at him. Imagine if this guy wasnt asleep and heard what they said? We all felt protective of him and didnt want to leave. Asleep and vulnerable. We left plenty food, clothing and some selection boxes and we left with the hope that this would make him smile when he woke and he may be able to get the help he needed when the offices opened again. The more I do this the more I realise the importance of being kind and giving hope. Some of our street friends are so lonely. One lady said tonight that she would rather someones time and a conversation over being given food, money or clothing. We are back out on friday for our first walkabout of 2015 and ready to spread more hope, love and smiles. Something we all can do anywhere we go x Lets make 2015 the year of hope and change. #onelove #opsafewinter #hope #change #teammww
Posted on: Sun, 28 Dec 2014 17:32:46 +0000
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