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On the streets of Leeds at night, the homeless are not always alone On the streets of Leeds at night, the homeless are not always alone
(about 3 hours later)
"It looks like a good crowd tonight...""It looks like a good crowd tonight..."
It's gone nine o'clock on a Tuesday evening and I'm standing in an all but deserted car park on the northern edge of Leeds city centre, right by the inner ring road along which the very last ones to leave the office finally drive on home for the night.It's gone nine o'clock on a Tuesday evening and I'm standing in an all but deserted car park on the northern edge of Leeds city centre, right by the inner ring road along which the very last ones to leave the office finally drive on home for the night.
The evening is unseasonably mild: a blessed relief for the T-shirted revellers flitting about town, but scant consolation for the dozen bodies wrapped in layer upon layer, huddled around the water boiler, drinking tea out of polystyrene cups and taking away a bread roll or three for the long night ahead.The evening is unseasonably mild: a blessed relief for the T-shirted revellers flitting about town, but scant consolation for the dozen bodies wrapped in layer upon layer, huddled around the water boiler, drinking tea out of polystyrene cups and taking away a bread roll or three for the long night ahead.
These same faces gather here every Tuesday night at the same time for some food, a warm drink, and familiar company. They are mostly dwelling in the dirty, dangerous hostels nearby or sleeping rough wherever they can find a hidden-away spot to bed down for the night.These same faces gather here every Tuesday night at the same time for some food, a warm drink, and familiar company. They are mostly dwelling in the dirty, dangerous hostels nearby or sleeping rough wherever they can find a hidden-away spot to bed down for the night.
Most evenings during the week, one of the local charities or church associations hosts something for the homeless around Leeds – except at the weekend when the crowds flock to town and money is to be made on the streets. But every Tuesday night, the small core of full-time support workers and committed volunteers that make up local charity Simon on the Streets pitches its tent here in this quiet corner of central Leeds.Most evenings during the week, one of the local charities or church associations hosts something for the homeless around Leeds – except at the weekend when the crowds flock to town and money is to be made on the streets. But every Tuesday night, the small core of full-time support workers and committed volunteers that make up local charity Simon on the Streets pitches its tent here in this quiet corner of central Leeds.
Over the last two years, the numbers of 'statutory homeless' have crept back up: that is, those who according to local authorities are entitled to council support. Other charities argue these government figures severely understate the true extent of homelessness. The available data on numbers of 'rough sleepers' is similarly unreliable: until recently this was measured by a small team which would go out across town on a single night of the year and do a simple head-count of all those who were bedded down or about to bed down on the streets.Over the last two years, the numbers of 'statutory homeless' have crept back up: that is, those who according to local authorities are entitled to council support. Other charities argue these government figures severely understate the true extent of homelessness. The available data on numbers of 'rough sleepers' is similarly unreliable: until recently this was measured by a small team which would go out across town on a single night of the year and do a simple head-count of all those who were bedded down or about to bed down on the streets.
But Simon on the Streets are not interested in the statistics. Formed over a decade ago with a focus on those people who are excluded from or who refuse support from other services, they seek to build relationships with individuals. They are few in number, with two support workers in Leeds and two more across Bradford and Huddersfield, but they have built a great reputation.
The weekly soup-run is not simply intended to dole out food and drink of a Tuesday evening. The real purpose is to build relationships with those who need help and guidance the most.		But Simon on the Streets are not interested in the statistics. Formed over a decade ago with a focus on those people who are excluded from or who refuse support from other services, they seek to build relationships with individuals. They are few in number, with two support workers in Leeds and two more across Bradford and Huddersfield, but they have built a great reputation.
The weekly soup-run is not simply intended to dole out food and drink of a Tuesday evening. The real purpose is to build relationships with those who need help and guidance the most.
I'm due to join the soup-run with a group of media students from Leeds Trinity university college to make a short film about homelessness in the city and the work of Simon on the Streets. But first, I pay a visit to try and find out more about what they try to do, and to get to know the people at the heart of their efforts.I'm due to join the soup-run with a group of media students from Leeds Trinity university college to make a short film about homelessness in the city and the work of Simon on the Streets. But first, I pay a visit to try and find out more about what they try to do, and to get to know the people at the heart of their efforts.
I meet Clive (the long-standing director) and Helen (the operations manager, the one who keeps everything going and makes sure nothing goes wrong) in McDonalds on Briggate. They take me through the necessary health and safety briefing. Some of their service users, they tell me, may be HIV positive. If someone leaves a jacket or a bag, warn one of the support workers, rather than making a grab for it: there may be a needle hidden in there. When introduced, they may extend their hand; if I feel uncomfortable about shaking their hand, I should be aware of that before going along.I meet Clive (the long-standing director) and Helen (the operations manager, the one who keeps everything going and makes sure nothing goes wrong) in McDonalds on Briggate. They take me through the necessary health and safety briefing. Some of their service users, they tell me, may be HIV positive. If someone leaves a jacket or a bag, warn one of the support workers, rather than making a grab for it: there may be a needle hidden in there. When introduced, they may extend their hand; if I feel uncomfortable about shaking their hand, I should be aware of that before going along.
Next - at 5pm: Mark posts on the people he met, and the friends he made. Simon on the Streets is a registered charity and welcomes interest and help. Read Mark's second post here, on the people he met, and the friends he made. Simon on the Streets is a registered charity and welcomes interest and help.