tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87739277624072031742024-02-06T19:23:56.854-08:00The Pavement PerspectiveThe Pavement Perspective is a short film giving London's rough sleepers the chance to tell their stories.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236462222672875441noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773927762407203174.post-14239264745388171092014-07-06T04:35:00.001-07:002014-07-06T04:35:12.149-07:00Jody Williams: Anybody can be an agent of changeThis blog has been quiet recently, so why not come back with a bang with a fantastic RSA talk from Nobel Laureate and political activist Jody Williams?<br />
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Jody Williams, amongst a career of tireless political activism, is best known for leading the International Campaign to Ban Landmines and laying the foundations for the Mine Ban Treaty. During a Q&A at an event where she was speaking, a woman stood up and commented upon how angry Jody seemed. The best bits of her response are summed up in this brief RSA short film, and in my transcription below.<br />
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Prepare to be inspired. Jody tells us: "<i>Every action really does contribute to change." </i><br />
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<i>"I can be angry. What I feel in my work is quite different. Not that I don't have moments of anger, but <b>what has fuelled my passion for change is righteous indignation at injustice</b>."</i><br />
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<i>"It wasn't just me. I'm often introduced as one individual who has changed the world and that is not the case ... <b>The reason 'we' changed the world in the landmine campaign is because 'we' were thousands and, in some instances, millions of ordinary people who came together with a common goal of pressuring their governments to do what they should have done anyway. And it wasn't just me that received the Peace prize, it was 'we'.</b> It was the Internaitonal Campaign to Ban Landmines and myself."</i><br />
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<i>"And, in addition to getting governments within the space of five years to create this treaty banning anti-personnel landmines, <b>we also made ordinary people around the world understand that it's not magic ... Anybody can be an agent of change.</b> All it really takes is finding what you're most passionate about ... If it is an issue that stirs your passion, and by working on it you can contribute to the greater good."</i><br />
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You can watch a 15 minute excerpt of Jody's interview <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72w0vxCcO8M" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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If every action contributes to change, it gives us all a reason to consider carefully how we act towards those around us and the ideas we want to stand up for.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236462222672875441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773927762407203174.post-74901790888260093732014-05-01T13:21:00.000-07:002014-05-01T13:26:37.461-07:00BBC reporter becomes homelessIt sounds a bit trite to say "It could happen to anyone" but it really is true.<br />
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Ed Mitchell, a former financial reporter and newsreader, tells his harrowing story of becoming bankrupt and homeless. The short film has won an award at the Sundance festival, a London short film competition, and is an honest, frank and sad story of a man putting his life back together.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="360" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="http://www.theatlantic.com/video/iframe/361438/" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="640"></iframe><br />
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In the Guardian, Hannah Pool questions Ed Mitchell's release of a book about his experiences, entitled <i>From Headlines to Hard Times, </i>claiming he has spun himself a good story. To me, Mitchell may well be exploiting his story with a documentary and book release, but wouldn't you do what you had to do to keep yourself off the streets? He does, after all, have only one rent payment between a flat and a park bench, as he points out in his answer to her question.<br />
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If nothing else, Mitchell reminds us to consider the so-treated 'homeless other' as the 'homeless familiar' since it could so easily be you or I next.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236462222672875441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773927762407203174.post-915672097834751852014-04-24T09:13:00.000-07:002014-04-24T09:13:07.054-07:00Would you recognise your family if they were homeless?Would you notice your girlfriend on the street if she were homeless? How about your brother? How about your grandfather?<br />
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In New York, Jun Diaz of production company Smuggler joined up with the NYC Rescue Mission to ask this very question. As part of a social experiment called 'Make Them Visible', they filmed people walk past their family members in the street - and not one of them looked.<br />
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At first, I was unsure whether this experiment is indicative of very much at all, except that we do not always keep watch for our family members in the street or recognise them when we don't expect to cross paths.<br />
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However, in a positive light I hope this calls everyone to have a little more empathy for those without a home, because things always ring a little truer when you see someone you love involved. Perhaps a short message to flash up at the end with a way to take action (i.e. 'Instead of ignoring, why not say Good Morning?) might work well.<br />
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Still, an interesting watch ....<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236462222672875441noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773927762407203174.post-28663406494859913772014-04-24T03:08:00.002-07:002014-04-24T03:08:09.505-07:00Kwame published on Huff Post!For those of you who read Kwame's story on the blog, you might be interested to know that he has now been published on the Huffington Post!<br />
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You can see his article in full <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/kwame-bryan/becoming-homeless-my-story_b_5167149.html" target="_blank">here</a>. We even get a namedrop near the end!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236462222672875441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773927762407203174.post-59840705002757996422014-04-19T14:57:00.000-07:002014-04-20T01:44:14.041-07:00Dover Town Council: No extended sitting please!It surfaced last week that Dover Town Council has a new agenda: to stop "extended sitting".<br />
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For those delinquents among you who have engaged in such a perilous pastime, I need not explain the dangers of 'lounging' and the 'antisocial behaviour' it can cause.<br />
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So, forget the teenagers pulling 50mph in their Corsas down the high street and the Saturday night drunk-and-disorderlys in town because the real priority in Dover is to deter the kind of pesky people who insist on sitting on benches. Not just sitting, but sitting for an <i>extended period of time. </i>The cheek!<br />
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Dover Town Council have cleverly designed these anti-ergonomic benches to be intentionally uncomfortable to sit on. Without a back or arms, they don't exactly look like a nice place to catch the sun. If you can't believe it, lo and behold ...<br />
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(Can you blame anyone for getting a little lost in the irresistible shop-window deals?! The town residents could pay a pound a week collectively for a sofa rather than this deformed-hairgrip excuse for a bench ...)<br />
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But on a more serious note, the new benches are obviously going to prejudice many groups, like the elderly, mothers with children and those in poor health, who surely have legitimate reasons for taking a little break when out and about.<br />
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However, the thinly veiled 'extended sitting' clearly refers to one kind of person that Dover are trying to deter from sitting in the town centre; those without a space to occupy during the day, or indeed those who live and sleep on the streets. The local paper, <a href="http://www.dover-express.co.uk/Row-awkward-benches-dubbed-blot-landscape/story-20941462-detail/story.html" target="_blank">The Dover Express</a>, reveals the true motives of the project with an foolish councillor admitting that the benches have been installed to 'stop the alkies'. This ill-informed and ignorant stereotype represents the unreliable foundations of any council who would pursue such a ridiculous idea.<br />
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If Dover does genuinely feel there is a problem with people lacking something positive to pursue during their days, a better policy would be to address issues of unemployment, homelessness and, if appropriate, alcohol addiction. Instead, their 'bubble benches' are a pathetic attempt to try and push vulnerable people from public visibility.<br />
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So, any frequenters of Dover, normal rules apply; if you see a bench, don't even think about it!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236462222672875441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773927762407203174.post-11440631253568627892014-04-11T11:24:00.003-07:002014-04-21T01:28:07.771-07:00Fuck The Poor? Pardon?If you haven't seen this yet, you've either been living under a rock for the past week or experiencing problems with your broadband connection, (seriously BT, sort it out.)<br />
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Yes, that's right, <a href="http://piliontrust.com/" target="_blank">The Pilion Trust</a> have cleverly got your attention by using a swear word in a campaign video. However, what follows is an interesting reflection upon us as a society, and closely aligns to The Pavement Perspective's values; people <i>do care, </i>but they feel helpless as to what to do.</div>
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That's why we propose four ways you can take a stand against poverty (particularly visible rough sleeping) in your locality:</div>
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1. <b>Acknowledgement</b>: say hello to those you see on the streets - just a smile can change someone's day, particularly if they do not get much opportunity to speak to people.</div>
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2. <b>Time</b>: Volunteer at a local homeless shelter. A good list of national services can be found <a href="http://www.thepavement.org.uk/services.php" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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3. <b>Resources</b>: Whether it's food, socks or your last season ski jacket, drop by your local shelter and see what they need. If you're feeling rich, give some money!</div>
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4. <b>Advocacy</b>: Speak about current issues affecting the UK today; poverty, homelessness, addiction, mental health - whatever it is, don't make it a taboo and get the issues on our public agenda!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236462222672875441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773927762407203174.post-28224631029842377972014-03-25T10:40:00.002-07:002014-03-26T02:13:29.992-07:00Kwame: My Story<h4>
It is my pleasure to welcome Kwame, one of the film's participants, to The Pavement Perspective blog. He tells his brave and determined story below ...</h4>
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Kwame: My Story</h2>
<b style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>Timeline: - Tuesday, March 26<sup>th</sup>
2013. 16.48 hours. </i></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>This was the
day I became homeless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a chaotic
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was carrying several bags, and
was not sure what I was going to do or where I was going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went to a café, had a coffee and decided to
see what happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not much of a plan,
but I had never planned to be homeless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Eventually, that night, I slept in the A & E Department at St
George’s Hospital, Tooting.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>Timeline: - Monday, March 17<sup>th</sup>
2014. 20.17 hours.<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>Sat in the
Jacuzzi at The Marriot Hotel, popped another couple of French Fries into my mouth
with my beautiful girlfriend next to me, contemplating whether I should get out
and have another go in the sauna.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Decided to stay in the Jacuzzi!<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>Yes, it has
been an interesting year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will now
tell you about my journey through the last 12 months, and where I am going to go
from here.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>In December
2012, due to mistakes by myself, I lost my job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The next 3 months I proceeded to stick my head in the sand, and refused
to face the problems I was having at the place I was living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking back now, I feel I had
depression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three months later, I became
homeless. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>To help me
write this blog, I decided to re-visit one of the places I slept when I was
street homeless, and also to re-visit the park where I would sit until I
thought my “neighbours” would be asleep, and I would not disturb them when I
made my way to my sleeping spot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
wanted to reflect on the chaos of the first week of being street homeless, and
then how I got my thoughts together on how I was going to deal with this
situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to remember the
nights spent sleeping on night buses, or catching a few hours’ sleep in various
A & E departments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In those first
few days I had the habit of falling asleep suddenly during the day; a sort of
temporary narcolepsy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once I found the
first of my sleeping spots, things improved.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>It was then
that two things happened in quick succession that made my life considerably
easier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Firstly, I went and hired a
locker where I was able to store my possessions, and gain easy access
daily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Secondly, I found out about a
place called Spires from a fellow street homeless person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here, I started using the rough sleeping
space and was able to have showers regularly, breakfast, and the chance to
relax and feel “normal” for a couple of hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I cannot speak highly enough of the staff I encountered at Spires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were non-judgemental, and just made you
feel like a human being again after the occasional hard night sleeping
rough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will never forget the
expression on the face of the Project Worker when she received an email confirming
I had an interview for The Robes Project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This project is where seven churches, from a variety of denominations,
each take it in turn to offer shelter and hospitality to a group of homeless
people one night a week for the coldest months of the year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was so excited that I had the chance to
come off the streets. This happened in November 2013.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>As I started
to adapt to being street homeless, and began to get some kind of routine in my
life, such as applying for jobs and trying to sort my situation out, I started
to take a more active part in Spires. I started using some of the facilities
such as computer access available on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along with using public libraries, I found my
reading and using the internet more than I ever have.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>In December,
I had an interview for a job as an Area Sales Manager. After a 2<sup>nd</sup>
interview I was offered the position, and on Monday, 6<sup>th</sup> January
2014, I re-entered the world of the employed again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stayed on The Robes Project for a further
seven weeks, so as to save enough money for a deposit and a month’s rent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Saturday, 8<sup>th</sup> March 2014, I
moved into my new property in West Norwood.<o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>
<i><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Being homeless is a transient lifestyle. Over the last 12 months I have met </span><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 17px;">some fascinating people, and many I will not see again. I wish them well, and I hope their dreams come true. I did the film, The Pavement Perspective, to show that homeless people are not "losers", or "wasters", but people who have hopes and dreams like the rest of society, and are people who are trying to improve their situation.</span></b></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>Where
now?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope I will learn from my
mistakes over the last 12 months, and appreciate what I have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have analysed my life, and throughout I
have gone from great highs to spectacular lows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I need to become a “steady Eddie”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A little boring but at my age I need to have a little consistency in my
life.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236462222672875441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773927762407203174.post-75948479068301786822014-03-10T11:59:00.000-07:002014-03-10T11:59:09.944-07:00The Pavement Perspective wins funding!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mwyYoPKDnzm3K7CHHTctMucV8bsHBX_kwovbBRy5egAqtfcCff02IM8dgVJB_VNhVNdUeLUM4kkuyrz1kKCgT68zZJnmG5AT-2qaAwZ83v8-ja0ctjtQfuKLq3SJHQI1CDkpxlG7nsZ7/s1600/IdeasTap_Logo%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mwyYoPKDnzm3K7CHHTctMucV8bsHBX_kwovbBRy5egAqtfcCff02IM8dgVJB_VNhVNdUeLUM4kkuyrz1kKCgT68zZJnmG5AT-2qaAwZ83v8-ja0ctjtQfuKLq3SJHQI1CDkpxlG7nsZ7/s1600/IdeasTap_Logo%5B1%5D.jpg" height="320" width="316" /></a><br />
<h4>
We've won the IdeasTap Innovators Award! </h4>
<br />
Finally, after months of being shortlisted but never winning, we have been chosen for some FUNDING! Hurrah!<br />
<br />
We'll keep you posted with developments but we're very excited!<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236462222672875441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773927762407203174.post-841117125109089152014-02-13T05:48:00.000-08:002014-02-13T06:57:42.889-08:00OMG!!! #selfie with vulnerable people LOL<h4>
OMG! A totally new, random and #hashtag-worthy trend has hit the internet! If you're sick of the #<b>selfie</b>, #<b>belfie</b> and #<b>selfobsessedsie</b>, why not try a #<b>homelessselfie</b>?!!</h4>
That's right, you can join the new cutting edge trend to hit the web by taking a photo of yourself with ... wait for it ... <b>a VULNERABLE PERSON! Lmao.</b><br />
<br />
The internet gives ignorant people, who would never normally be given the time of day, a perfect platform to share their inane thoughts with the whole world. So, never fear - <b>you might not have brains but you do have an iPhone</b> and that means you can take photos of you with people who haven't consented and post them all over the internet.<br />
<br />
The women's services manager from one of our supporting charities <a href="http://www.spires.org.uk/" target="_blank">Spires</a> had her comments published in the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/02/11/selfies-homeless-people-latest-vile-trend-tumblr_n_4765883.html?1392126396" target="_blank">Huffington Post</a>:<br />
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<i>“These selfies show homeless people when they are at their most vulnerable and low. Homelessness can affect anyone, have they ever heard of ‘putting yourself in someone else’s shoes?’”</i></div>
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<i>“This particular tumblr is a true example of the failure of actually ‘seeing’ that the people they are making fun of are at their most vulnerable.”</i></div>
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Photo of you and a homeless guy? Why the hell not?!<br />
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On a better note, someone took a photograph of themselves with a man who was sleeping rough and then Crowdfunded lots of money for him. It's a shame this can't happen for everyone in a difficult situation, but atleast it happened for Michael. Read about it <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/get-michael-home-dalston-reveller-crowdfunds-homeless-mans-ticket-back-to-jamaica-where-he-says-he-will-be-happy-9118688.html" target="_blank">here</a> and give to the campaign <a href="http://www.gofundme.com/6rb6f0" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236462222672875441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773927762407203174.post-85245440935133039812014-02-03T07:33:00.000-08:002014-02-03T07:33:43.894-08:00TPP's first screening a success!Last Tuesday, we had our first screening at Amnesty International's Human Rights Action Centre in Shoreditch. An amazing 155 of you turned out in the rain and the cold to come and watch, which was fantastic and kicked the project off to a great start - there was barely a seat left in the whole auditorium.<br />
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There was a brief introduction, followed by a screening of the film and a Q&A with all the participants. We were lucky to have two of the film's participants with experience of homelessness with us, called Kwame and Jonas, alongside Sarah, Manager of Ace of Clubs day centre, Connor, a housing barrister from Garden Court Chambers, and Alistair, standing in for Alison Gelder who is the Chief Executive of Housing Justice.<br />
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Some really interesting questions came up, such as those addressing how we should speak to people on the streets, how we should deal with begging and the day-to-day difficulties of not having a home. It was certainly an opportunity for some people to displace their assumptions or misconceptions, and when the Q&A had to draw to a close due to time constraints there were many hands left waving. Luckily, we all stuck around for a drink and hopefully everyone's burning questions were addressed!<br />
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I ended the evening by presenting The Pavement Perspective's four ways to take action in your locality: <b>acknowledge</b> those you see in the streets, give your <b>time</b> through conversations or voluntary work, give your <b>resources</b> through either money to a homeless shelter, or other goods such as coats and sleeping bags, or finally use your voice through <b>advocacy</b> to raise the profile of homelessness and make it a subject we no longer avoid.<br />
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Take a look at the photos below, and don't forget to get in touch if you would like to screen the film somewhere near you (Frankie at thepavementperspective@gmail.com). Many thanks to Lillie Ashworth for her beautiful photographs!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jonas and I introduced the film.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The panel with our Twitter hashtag!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah explains the services required and provided by Ace of Clubs day centre.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our audience of 155 people!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alistair from Housing Justice addresses the question of giving to those begging in the streets</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jonas reminds everyone that it is the minority of homeless individuals who in reality beg.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frankie answers a question, next to Jonas (left) and Kwame (right)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Introducing TPP's four ways to take action in your locality: acknowledgement, time, resources, advocacy.</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236462222672875441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773927762407203174.post-68643448701437393432014-01-27T03:31:00.003-08:002014-01-27T03:31:39.845-08:00Our first screening is tomorrow!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggd3P_QMjXzDX52YmcDbA3uVLNL7SGGmTxB06Sm7iUJsc3PcX65q46ijlkQTwBOwo2cOzBDKbQiwom80C1zrou1s0Dx2hO6ZQr1juj-KP-gZn1hFi9Q3j6s10HZylc1uyr0JwUPtdNoj56/s1600/red_stage_curtains.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggd3P_QMjXzDX52YmcDbA3uVLNL7SGGmTxB06Sm7iUJsc3PcX65q46ijlkQTwBOwo2cOzBDKbQiwom80C1zrou1s0Dx2hO6ZQr1juj-KP-gZn1hFi9Q3j6s10HZylc1uyr0JwUPtdNoj56/s1600/red_stage_curtains.jpeg" height="232" title="The Pavement Perspective's grand opening approaches ..." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pavement Perspective's grand opening approaches!</td></tr>
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I thought I should really post on here today, since everything The Pavement Perspective has been working up to for the past six months is about to arrive <b>TOMORROW</b>.<br />
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<b>Myself and the participants have almost sorted everything</b> - the venue, the guest list, the order for the night, the lighting and sound. The only thing we are still lacking, due to a few technical difficulties, is the film. I am told this is just how the production process works, but nonetheless I'm feeling pretty uptight!<br />
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We have <b>almost 150 people who have written and confirmed their attendance</b> for tomorrow's screening, so I hope it's going to be packed. Although I hope the film will have a strong impact upon our audience, I suspect that the Q&A might be even more powerful.<br />
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I've been <b>overwhelmed by the support</b> I've received whilst getting the project up and running, and only hope that the film does justice to the valuable message put across by the participants.<br />
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<b>If you've not yet confirmed your attendance, but are planning to come, please do email your name to thepavementperspective@gmail.com</b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236462222672875441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773927762407203174.post-25665110607422002642014-01-25T04:40:00.002-08:002014-01-25T04:42:49.713-08:00Illustrator designs coffee cups in aid of homelessnessIn America, illustrator <a href="http://sketchbooked.com/" target="_blank">Miguel Cardona</a> is raising money for homelessness charity <a href="http://projectnightnight.org/" target="_blank">Project Night Night</a> in a new way - through your coffee cup.<br />
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Miguel has put incredible designs on the everyday canvas on a coffee cup, and unsuprisingly people are willing to pay through the roof to get their hands on one. Convenient, since all the proceeds go to Project Night Night, who provide packages of essential goods to children who are homeless. Want one? I do!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236462222672875441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773927762407203174.post-52937110778661963722014-01-19T06:51:00.000-08:002014-01-19T06:51:05.121-08:00Boy living rough in South Africa turns out to be a pro-skater!If you can spare a few moments, it's worth watching this video to find out a bit more about Thalente.<br />
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Thalente is a young boy who having suffered some traumas early on in his life became homeless aged 11 in Durban, South Africa. Having a strong connection with South Africa myself, I became intrigued. Turns out he is in fact a pretty incredible skate boarder - potential to go pro, in fact. He met the right people, and with a bit of time and effort to give someone else in life a hand, Thalente's journey has begun. Share his story.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236462222672875441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773927762407203174.post-91318896756965655812014-01-12T12:16:00.000-08:002014-01-12T12:22:41.761-08:00Coats, sleeping bags, jobs - the perfect social enterprise <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_u3yWAFHpjhp2rnXsqOQzu1vJIBJJ_MeaoCzf0i02jP8LZHecDUItgga0Zg-64V7nRtbnKMzZGqhuSnOPpDQn9zXl70VSMCypSc5yswwlx0EQh2GhZWHzB-iSlOuTPYc01zHjm7fcqo2/s1600/Banner-2-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_u3yWAFHpjhp2rnXsqOQzu1vJIBJJ_MeaoCzf0i02jP8LZHecDUItgga0Zg-64V7nRtbnKMzZGqhuSnOPpDQn9zXl70VSMCypSc5yswwlx0EQh2GhZWHzB-iSlOuTPYc01zHjm7fcqo2/s1600/Banner-2-01.jpg" height="212" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Whilst she was still at school, Veronika (see below) created a product which doubles up as a coat and sleeping bag for individuals who are sleeping rough in Detroit, Michigan. </span><span style="text-align: center;">They were a resounding success, but something still wasn't quite right. <b>It was aid, but there was no solution.</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiygOWRlJrSrlly3fIqReFpSyeMewtM9dPSAYVJFRIc20B9lOKZ4ziBc4U1K7mbYW4KpSswdJHS03GJ7Z_c_e0l5SWs2Jekvu07hxGIcKqhI6lOvw8Z3sfEkxSCaZES8mjvKVf0QZgWDK44/s1600/TheEmpowermentPlan.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><span style="text-align: center;">One day, she found the missing piece - why don't homeless people themselves make the sleeping bag, lifting them out of poverty, equipping them with skills, giving them back self confidence and most importantly creating a sustainable and effective social enterprise? </span><br />
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She did just that, and now runs the fantastic <a href="http://www.empowermentplan.org/" target="_blank">'Empowerment Plan'.</a> Watch this video to find out more. And a big thank you to my good friend Kirsty Kenney for drawing this great project to my attention - you can read her blog at <a href="http://www.greenicecream.co.uk/">www.greenicecream.co.uk</a><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236462222672875441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773927762407203174.post-72598106199507059322014-01-07T04:17:00.003-08:002014-01-08T04:04:24.233-08:00A new campaign: Killing with Kindness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In 2003, Jeremy Swain, (the Chief Executive of London-based homelessness charity <a href="http://www.thamesreach.org.uk/" target="_blank">Thames Reach</a>), launched a campaign called Killing with Kindness. Posters on London's tube network tried to deter people from giving to beggars in the street, instead urging them to give to charities and organisations working with threatened groups. I think the campaign is a worthwhile one, but question whether the beggar's loss may actually decrease donations to the charitable sector working with the homeless.</div>
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The campaign resurfaced in October, when Jeremy posted an article entitled 'Do The Right Thing' on <a href="http://www.insidehousing.co.uk/" target="_blank">Inside Housing</a>'s website, after discussing it in a radio interview. He pondered the 'psychology of giving' when we drop money into used Starbucks cups on the streets, asking who exactly we are helping by giving money to beggars. Whilst we may be easing our own consciences, he writes that there is 'incontrovertible evidence that the vast majority of people begging on the streets are doing so in order to purchase hard drugs, like heroin and crack cocaine'. As a result, our 'compassionate' giving may in fact be trapping people in a lifestyle of instability and substance misuse rather than helping them to move on. Swain instead proposes that people should give their money to organisations working with individuals affected by homelessness and substance misuse as this is a more sustainable and effective way to help people.</div>
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Jeremy told the story of Cheryl, a habitual beggar working outside Charing Cross station to support her heroin addiction. Cheryl felt people often knew of her habit but chose to ignore it out of ignorance or pity. This careless attitude of givers enrages Jeremy, as he points out that often such addicts will die from their addiction, and such acts of giving in fact undermine the hard work of frontline support workers. Cheryl escaped her situation when she enrolled on a treatment programme, and the argument seems to be that if we thought a little more about which hands our pound coins fall into, we could dramatically reduce the numbers of beggars on our streets. This is, after all, the ultimate aim. </div>
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Many agree with Jeremy. Dave Hill recently wrote an article for the Guardian <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/dec/06/dont-give-money-beggars-help-them" target="_blank">'Don't give money to beggars - help them instead.</a>' With a similar logic to the Killing With Kindness campaign, he wrote that 'most rough sleepers don't beg and most beggars aren't rough sleepers' and instead urged us to give our money to a 'relevant charity'. I can say that from my experience with The Pavement Perspective I agree with this statement - most rough sleepers I have met are either managing on minimal weekly benefits or otherwise doing casual work to keep themselves afloat.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Urban Dictionary illustrates common stereotypes</td></tr>
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However, whilst I am confident the campaign will be able to stop people giving money to beggars, I am not so sure it will have such a positive effect for charitable organisations. Whilst it is unclear whether the money not dropped in beggar's cups will translate to charitable gain, I see a risk that donations overall may decrease. This concern stems from the risk that the campaign will reinforce negative stereotypes about rough sleepers, and also give people one more way to justify their dismissal of vulnerable people on the streets.<br />
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Many people already think of rough sleepers and beggars as synonymous, and assume they are 'all drug addicts' or 'drunks' and this campaign might 'confirm' their suspicions. People might feel they do not want to give their hard-earned wages to help individuals they perceive to have brought their problems upon themselves, and this may actually reduce the amount of money homelessness charities receive. Furthermore, I think most people probably give to beggars due to spare-of-the-minute guilt and the rest of the time give very little thought to those on the streets, be they homeless or not. If they are given a campaign which actually justifies their dismissal of people on the street, it gives them one less reason to take any action at all.<br />
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Although the campaign may do good work in stopping the counterproductive task of giving to beggars funding drug habits, I am not sure that the public en mass will necessarily understand the background context of such a nuanced campaign. My concern is that it may be used as an excuse to disregard issues surrounding people on the streets altogether. Nonetheless, as Jeremy has pointed out to me, cutting the supply of money to dealers is the main primary aim of the campaign, which is a necessary and important task. Any other side affects are merely speculative on my part, and judging by the ongoing success of organisations such as Thames Link, despite the release of the campaign in 2003, I may well be wrong that donations to charities will reduce!</div>
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In reality, the issues surrounding homelessness and addiction are complicated, and as a result raising awareness is a difficult task. The issues are complicated because they are people's <i>lives, </i>each story is slightly different and there is no homogenous groups of 'homeless' or 'beggars' who can be captured and matched to a single solution. It is debatable whether there is ever one 'right' thing to do - you have to use your own discretion in each situation. In the meantime, I think Swain's campaign gives us all food for thought, but lets hope it is interpreted correctly.</div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236462222672875441noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773927762407203174.post-69520807099132807822013-12-23T12:31:00.000-08:002014-01-03T12:40:42.296-08:00No act is entirely altruistic - so why knock festive volunteering?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5m2mtM96PmP8IMmZPSFCZXSPDnVlISiGbfs6HPj54co5ovprTGOoU9bdc2r5XQqvK1lc5Qh85FdKT4fZkj9SJUcJxtKq2WQNfChvf3Fy1PB6b0WGYFLmOo97_YSug8thB3D0hGOH26EI/s1600/coastline_267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5m2mtM96PmP8IMmZPSFCZXSPDnVlISiGbfs6HPj54co5ovprTGOoU9bdc2r5XQqvK1lc5Qh85FdKT4fZkj9SJUcJxtKq2WQNfChvf3Fy1PB6b0WGYFLmOo97_YSug8thB3D0hGOH26EI/s1600/coastline_267.jpg" height="147" width="200" /></a>My last blog post plugged the <b>'Crisis at Christmas'</b> services laid on in London, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Newcastle and Oxford, which are made possible for 3,000 homeless guests by over <b>8,000 volunteers</b>. Hence my surprise to read a recent article in the Guardian by Derek Mace from a South Western housing charity Coastline Housing entitled<b> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/housing-network/2013/dec/13/homeless-volunteering-christmas-rough-sleeping" target="_blank">'Want to volunteer to help homeless people this Christmas? Please don't.'</a></b></div>
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<!--StartFragment--><span lang="EN-US">Crisis eagerly recruit volunteers around the festive
period to help with their 'Crisis at Christmas' shelter service. Derek Mace,
however, argues that Christmas-time volunteering merely soothes people's
consciences and comes from a place of <b>sympathy rather than empathy</b><span style="font-size: small;">.
Sympathy, he argues, is not what his clients need and therefore the work much
better left to the professionals. Furthermore, he considers the cost of
training up 'fairweather' volunteers as diverting scant resources from the
clients who truly need them. Essentially, he urges people who only want to help for the short-term to stay away since they do more
harm than good.</span></span><!--EndFragment-->
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However, I would argue that Derek Mace ignores a huge benefit of so-called 'fairweather' volunteering; <b>participation and engagement in homelessness issues. </b>Here at The Pavement Perspective, we think people find it all too easy to ignore homelessness and rely upon blaming individuals for their own situation without much knowledge about the kinds of circumstances affecting those without stable housing. The only way to dispel such myths is to encourage people to actually engage with those living on the streets and learn about their situation. <b>Recruiting Christmas-time volunteers is an excellent way for some charities at least to draw people in - what might begin as sympathy may graduate to empathy once their understanding has developed.</b> It also follows that if you are engaged at Christmas, you will be more likely to engage for the rest of the year. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdm-e9pBVxf4Ir8GsTWWtEcG-5Lwz3bOw8ZOh7MWq_hvZ6oXA5-tT6xTahb6F6JLx-9vtXxfLbkAPjKYtw5ys8ctQg5lygOMGuqpHstR_ZjlntruXAbbMCzqO5vkftcA5ce_z1eQNc9mC4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-03+at+20.28.17.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdm-e9pBVxf4Ir8GsTWWtEcG-5Lwz3bOw8ZOh7MWq_hvZ6oXA5-tT6xTahb6F6JLx-9vtXxfLbkAPjKYtw5ys8ctQg5lygOMGuqpHstR_ZjlntruXAbbMCzqO5vkftcA5ce_z1eQNc9mC4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-03+at+20.28.17.png" height="112" width="200" /></a>Furthermore, to bash volunteering as 'fairweather' is to undermine the place where it comes from within people - a desire to make a positive impact in the world around them, as highlighted by the Archbishop of Canterbury in his New Year message. We should recognise that <b>any type of engagement is positive.</b> The number of people who believe the homeless are junkie-waster-good-for-nothings vastly outweighs those who care. So, <b>rather than berating those who are meaning well, perhaps we should focus our efforts on berating those who do not mean well in any sense - and lack both empathy <i>and </i>sympathy.</b></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236462222672875441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773927762407203174.post-872672955389073932013-12-20T12:38:00.000-08:002014-01-03T12:38:46.216-08:00Editing has begun!Just a quick update today to tell you all that editing has finally begun! You might think that once we have all the footage we are close to finishing the film - but it feels we are further away than ever before … The task of editing is painstaking to say the least!!<br />
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From all six shoots we have collected hours of footage which now has to be trawled through and distilled down to the 'best bits'! Quite a feat. Hopefully we will have it finished come the end of January!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5UIMIfB3KmawBcPmLl7foNUkVS5vzJCAaQHwWSWrylffNgT1V6pBuM_7Q7OafO6oW3-mB1qUJpLLG3n1acfy0dKsd2g7zGJXrJwNHb9o5rcDN3Y1Dpa9s4d4FFH9YV-vgsVxmqe9ViC5l/s1600/editing_room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5UIMIfB3KmawBcPmLl7foNUkVS5vzJCAaQHwWSWrylffNgT1V6pBuM_7Q7OafO6oW3-mB1qUJpLLG3n1acfy0dKsd2g7zGJXrJwNHb9o5rcDN3Y1Dpa9s4d4FFH9YV-vgsVxmqe9ViC5l/s1600/editing_room.jpg" height="236" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236462222672875441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773927762407203174.post-24889137053350798422013-11-09T11:54:00.002-08:002013-11-10T10:27:32.868-08:00This is not just Christmas … this is Crisis at Christmas ...Remember that irritating M&S advert that haunted our TV screens a few years ago? All about food that was <i>not just food, but M&S food? </i>Here's what we've been missing ...<br />
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Well, scrap the food porn ... <i>It's not just Christmas, it's Crisis at Christmas.</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgETuWbwFHeJGcVHtNJLCt0Nq2BJkNeluddVRqnIkEEG38ZPzd7MftCicm69VavyntigY37sumYnQqnY9CBbrBL-gQ0NZW__WEzfUBSWxmzXpCiOtbb2ktFrHdHALGms-xxiHR0qkbwBNXh/s1600/Xmas-Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgETuWbwFHeJGcVHtNJLCt0Nq2BJkNeluddVRqnIkEEG38ZPzd7MftCicm69VavyntigY37sumYnQqnY9CBbrBL-gQ0NZW__WEzfUBSWxmzXpCiOtbb2ktFrHdHALGms-xxiHR0qkbwBNXh/s1600/Xmas-Logo.jpg" height="372" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you, or anyone you know, are around London, Newcastle or Edinburgh between the 23rd-30th December and have two days/evenings free, you should volunteer with <a href="http://www.crisis.org.uk/pages/volunteering-at-crisis-christmas.html" target="_blank">Crisis at Christmas</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.crisis.org.uk/" target="_blank">Crisis</a> is a national charity for single homeless people. Each Christmas, they run ten centres across the country to support people who may feel especially lonely or isolated at this difficult time of year. They give a warm bed, good food, support, activities (like art and music) and services (such as hairdressers). Crisis suggest that for many, someone reaching out to them in this manner could be their first step to leaving the streets. And you can play a part.<br />
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Unsurprisingly, you can DONATE some money to help out. But, this isn't all you can do. You can VOLUNTEER too! Give your services, time and a smile for a warm fuzzy feeling and some great food and company at Christmas in return. This is the fantastic part of the service - everyone wins.<br />
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If you feel like taking part with me this Christmas, you can find more details <a href="http://www.crisis.org.uk/pages/crisis-at-christmas-faq.html" target="_blank">here</a> and sign up <a href="http://christmas.crisis.org.uk/login/?_loginSuccessUrl=%2F" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Watch a video to get you ready …<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236462222672875441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773927762407203174.post-20642944975293037222013-11-06T13:48:00.001-08:002013-11-06T13:48:26.544-08:00Memorial Service held for all homeless who have died in past yearSometimes you hear a heartwarming story and you know there is some real <i>right </i>being done in the world, alongside all the bad things. Hearing that St Martin-In-The-Fields is holding its <a href="http://www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org/event/annual-service-of-commemoration-for-homeless-people-who-have-died-in-the-last-year-2/" target="_blank">Annual Memorial Service</a> for all homeless people who have died in the past year on Nov 7th was one of those moments for me.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjxN00Lb8usUTajsMWC2vRCZoWNNC1DxPZBAa6opiv-GV_Svth_Ky9Pngq9t6fhmiyY82KtT7Eut0faocTBC8UGwFGFfrOcaaa4BmB95A4aIMRWL_9syVgvXBcH0qMX9ZigL3Hus-ywcJ/s1600/01_MUSIC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjxN00Lb8usUTajsMWC2vRCZoWNNC1DxPZBAa6opiv-GV_Svth_Ky9Pngq9t6fhmiyY82KtT7Eut0faocTBC8UGwFGFfrOcaaa4BmB95A4aIMRWL_9syVgvXBcH0qMX9ZigL3Hus-ywcJ/s1600/01_MUSIC.jpg" height="268" width="640" /></a></div>
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The service will take place in St Martin's beautiful church in Trafalgar Square. Each individual's name will be read out and will be paid respect. Prayers will be said for those who still have no home, with a hope for transformation and change in their lives. The service will feature performances from the homeless arts groups <a href="http://www.choirwithnoname.org/" target="_blank">The Choir With No Name</a> and <a href="http://www.streetwiseopera.org/" target="_blank">Streetwise Opera</a>. Whether you are religious or not, these are true sentiments of goodwill and kindness and should be celebrated by all.<br />
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What is not quite so heartwarming is that for some the stretching out of a friendly and kind hand may have come too late - there is a risk some may have died alone without anyone around them. This is a timely reminder that the dangers, insecurities and health risks of living on the streets are great and we should continue to aim to minimise homelessness in the future.<br />
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<b>Time - 11.30am</b><br />
<b>Location - St Martin-In-The-Fields, Trafalgar Square</b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236462222672875441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773927762407203174.post-32535606120085150822013-10-24T13:15:00.001-07:002013-10-24T13:25:14.485-07:00Emmaus - showing that social enterprise is the future of charity<h2>
On Tuesday I went to the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) to see Selwyn Image CBE, the founder and vice president of Emmaus UK, be presented with the 2013 Albert Medal for tackling homelessness and social exclusion through enterprise. Without a doubt, it was one of the best moments of my year ...</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMxyJYH5LmmF_Fo3iL4SEkCokdxgB4BUVJkdPKsMHW1RjXTFqiUarVDBKI-37lFjl5FrHX36YFdEtxMS3Q0OUycr382CdXY_E9HUk93JO2j-R1dTuO2a0DnbgvJATKQUoNglfoWHm6Od3Y/s1600/emmaus_logo250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMxyJYH5LmmF_Fo3iL4SEkCokdxgB4BUVJkdPKsMHW1RjXTFqiUarVDBKI-37lFjl5FrHX36YFdEtxMS3Q0OUycr382CdXY_E9HUk93JO2j-R1dTuO2a0DnbgvJATKQUoNglfoWHm6Od3Y/s1600/emmaus_logo250.jpg" /></a></div>
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I knew very little about <a href="http://www.emmaus.org.uk/" target="_blank">Emmaus</a> when I booked to attend the event. I had been told a few good things by the manager of a homeless shelter the week before, but I didn't really know what they were about or what they stood for. When I Google-ed <a href="http://www.emmaus.org.uk/" target="_blank">Emmaus</a>, the event popped up, and since it was free and just down the road on the Strand, I decided to go.</div>
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Sometimes, you strike gold; this was one such time.<br />
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Selwyn Image himself is an eloquent, interest<i>ing </i>and interest<i>ed </i>individual, coming from a background of marketing and then introducing the incredible social enterprise <a href="http://www.emmaus.org.uk/" target="_blank">Emmaus</a> to the UK in 1992.<br />
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Essentially, <a href="http://www.emmaus.org.uk/" target="_blank">Emmaus</a> creates 'communities' which take in homeless people, providing food, shelter, and most importantly <b>work</b>, alongside therapy and rehabilitative care. Chances are infinite, patience prevails and targets don't exist - surprise surprise, <a href="http://www.emmaus.org.uk/" target="_blank">Emmaus</a> is a huge success. Within a few years, the communities are self-sufficient, since the services sold create profit, and any money left over beyond maintaining the communities is used to benefit people <i>worse off than themselves.</i><br />
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Hear Selwyn say all the most important things for yourself ...<br />
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This is charity at its strongest - it is practical, goal-orientated and what is more <b>it works. </b>For every £1 put into<a href="http://www.emmaus.org.uk/" target="_blank"> Emmaus</a>, the public purse is saved £11; if people stay on the streets they tend to cost the NHS a great deal through poor health, potentially cost our courts and prisons a huge sum if they are involved in crime, and continue in a negative spiral of claiming benefits and losing more self-esteem as time goes on. <a href="http://www.emmaus.org.uk/" target="_blank">Emmaus</a> tackles these problems head on and has spectacular results. Based upon solid values, and entirely secular in nature, perhaps <a href="http://www.emmaus.org.uk/" target="_blank">Emmaus</a> can teach us all a lesson that the real future of homeless charity is social enterprise.<br />
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<a href="http://www.emmaus.org.uk/" target="_blank">Emmaus</a> has 25 successful communities in the UK at the moment. However, this needs to grow. <a href="http://www.emmaus.org.uk/" target="_blank">Emmaus </a>is a little known charity in this country, despite widespread success in France and further afield. This needs to change. The website is not particularly flashy, but the results are - so, visit today, and sign the petition Selwyn mentioned in his interview <a href="http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/lord-freud-make-sure-night-shelters-aren-t-forced-to-close-their-doors-to-homeless-people" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236462222672875441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773927762407203174.post-16001540536685920562013-10-17T08:48:00.001-07:002013-10-17T08:48:56.174-07:00The Guardian employs a homeless writer<h4>
An article published in the Guardian newspaper on Sunday 13th October 2013 was exceptional for one main reason; the writer was homeless.</h4>
The article, entitled <i>What you learn about humanity from living on the streets</i>, was written by Mary, who lives on the streets of New York. She sits on the same block as a Guardian editor, and the editor compiled the article from Mary's handwritten notes. In turn, Mary was paid the same fee as any other Guardian contributor.<br />
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You can read the article in full <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/oct/13/homeless-nyc-people-you-meet" target="_blank">here</a>, but here are a few excerpts below ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXmhpyW-Ciklt90lVou2wqByjVJAxxg8_BNrxlpTyayDEqflZpmKrQZrtnFnsWOoOdqnrpJsG3tsUMvUmZAsabTKzCp5UYmqU_MsFHVuchBJ9Mlm8sSgr8MTIPjExgHzMj5wdeNduX5YaU/s1600/3550860028_04b7f38587_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXmhpyW-Ciklt90lVou2wqByjVJAxxg8_BNrxlpTyayDEqflZpmKrQZrtnFnsWOoOdqnrpJsG3tsUMvUmZAsabTKzCp5UYmqU_MsFHVuchBJ9Mlm8sSgr8MTIPjExgHzMj5wdeNduX5YaU/s1600/3550860028_04b7f38587_z.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">"Passers-by mainly ignore me, a homeless woman sitting on the sidewalk or a bench. The people who do speak to me are either curious, or harpies who give me unsolicited and useless advice, or the more irritable who chastise me. I try to explain by example that there are good, decent, employable but destitute people in </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/new-york" style="background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-collapse: collapse; color: #005689; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="More from guardian.co.uk on New York">New York</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> City ..."</span><br />
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"... Many people also assume that the homeless are all drug addicts, criminals or prostitutes. I am none of these things, yet I have seen the stereotypes first-hand ..."</div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">"... </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">I don't have recent data, but I know that in 1994, a study of homeless people in Manhattan was published and a summary appeared in many New York City newspapers. The findings said that 30-40% of the street homeless population suffered from a mental illness, including alcoholism and drug addiction. It's a tragic statistic, but you can also infer from this survey that 60-70% of the street homeless are </span><em style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">not</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> mentally ill, drug addicted or alcoholic. People should remember that other factors – such as education, job training, employment, the </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/housing" style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-collapse: collapse; color: #005689; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="More from guardian.co.uk on Housing">housing</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> market and how programs for the poor are administered – also cause people to end up on the streets ..."</span></blockquote>
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"... <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">My dream is to be a middle school math teacher. My college degree is in computer science, and I used to be a substitute teacher. I know this probably won't happen. For now, I do what I have to. I just wish people wouldn't make assumptions about me, especially that I am crazy or a criminal ..."</span></blockquote>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236462222672875441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773927762407203174.post-40988598881576266952013-10-15T05:21:00.000-07:002013-10-15T17:45:34.752-07:00Halfway across the world and homeless: The Box Men of Shinjuki Station.<div style="text-align: justify;">
Whilst researching for <i>The Pavement Perspective</i>, I have spent many afternoons in a centre which helps homeless individuals in Clapham. My conversations with the people who use the centre began with me introducing myself and asking them surface level questions. However, now we know each other well we will talk about anything and everything - discussions over games of cards, putting the world to rights; the best kinds of afternoons.</div>
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A few weeks ago, a gentleman was musing over his handful of cards when he suddenly looked up and asked the rest of the group, </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Do you think living on the streets is different in different countries?"</span></div>
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This was a question I wasn't prepared for. I'm not sure I really understand what it is like to be homeless in this country, let alone in a different country.<br />
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However, I did find a series of photographs online by photographer <a href="http://photomichaelwolf.com/#" target="_blank">Michael Wolf</a> which give an interesting insight into homelessness in Japan, and I'll share them with you below.</div>
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This body of work falls underneath an album called 'Life in Cities', and the series of photographs is called <i>The Box Men of Shinjuki Station</i>. This train station in Tokyo, Japan, holds the Guinness World Record for the world's busiest transport hub, and with over 200 exits it would probably be the perfect place to get so lost you miss ten trains in a row. Nonetheless, judging by the photographs below it seems many call it home.<br />
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I am struggling to upload the photos to the blog, but if you want to see the rest of the series, follow this <a href="http://photomichaelwolf.com/#the-box-men-of-shinjuku-station/1" target="_blank">link</a>.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236462222672875441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773927762407203174.post-48968820224004481512013-10-08T02:40:00.000-07:002013-10-08T02:40:10.769-07:00Second shoot - tick!!!Very pleased to say myself and Catch21 Productions finished our second shoot yesterday with housing barrister Connor Johnston in Lincoln's Inn Fields.<br />
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The sun came out and we got some great footage of Connor making the very technical very understandable - keep stopping by for more updates!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236462222672875441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773927762407203174.post-55431902466631127032013-10-06T11:59:00.003-07:002013-10-06T12:05:30.003-07:00What advice could the Victorian's give us about the UK's affordable housing shortage?Paul Hackett, the director of the independent think tank the <a href="http://www.smith-institute.org.uk/" target="_blank">Smith Institute</a>, has written an <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/housing-network/2013/oct/02/todays-housing-philanthropists?CMP=twt_gu" target="_blank">article</a> for the Guardian this week addressing the chronic shortage of affordable housing in the UK.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">However, rather than bemoaning the lack-lustre efforts of state resources, Hackett calls upon modern-day philanthropists to take a leaf out of their Victorian counterpart's books and invest in social housing.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYZ8KYCfPgsb4FLLfZ6hUzQyqqYA_8ZeRQiiimYfCySM-pqp63deRvTWBQpHCbQKjFqDwhlDzHa9s1lCrTVWPM0Lo5eNH6iBUbP3dc4xOjEB1TsZmA6yyh-kKIuY8yVijBSUT3lH7XMqr/s1600/joseph-portrait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYZ8KYCfPgsb4FLLfZ6hUzQyqqYA_8ZeRQiiimYfCySM-pqp63deRvTWBQpHCbQKjFqDwhlDzHa9s1lCrTVWPM0Lo5eNH6iBUbP3dc4xOjEB1TsZmA6yyh-kKIuY8yVijBSUT3lH7XMqr/s1600/joseph-portrait.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a>Individuals such as Joseph Rowntree were as exceptional in their day as they would be considered now - pioneers for equality, social justice and the welfare of others. Incredibly, some of the housing they created remains in use today. However, such generosity has not evaporated in the 21st century - it has simply moved. The arts, education and medical research are all cited by Hackett and receiving enormous amounts of philanthropic funding each year. These are of course worthy causes, but<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">in the current climate Hackett seems to suggest housing philanthropy should be topping the priority list more often.</span><br />
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However, the article recognises that the onus cannot be entirely upon the generous, nor should their giving be denounced for not being the 'right' giving. Hackett names the USA as a role model for developing innovative ways of giving, such as direct land donations and crowd funding, and furthermore better incentives for people to invest in housing schemes, such as clear social returns.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In essence, the housing sector needs to make itself more appealing before it can expect an increase in donations</span>.<br />
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A full <a href="https://www.thinknpc.org/publications/rebuilding-the-relationship-between-affordable-housing-and-philanthropy/" target="_blank">report</a> on the matter has been released by New Philanthropy Capital last month, but it is likely that any consequences of the report will take a long time to trickle through. In the meantime, let's hope a very rich philanthropist has read the article and is making some phone calls right now!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236462222672875441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773927762407203174.post-40094621430852327272013-10-02T01:09:00.001-07:002013-10-02T01:09:14.022-07:00Homelessness made illegal on Hungarian streetsOnce again, the world's eyes focus upon Hungary and her ground-breaking respect for civil liberties and the freedoms of her citizens ... Or maybe not quite. As if everyone wasn't busy enough ignoring the abuse suffered by Roma, the government have found a new group to bully - the homeless.<br />
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Yesterday, Lydia Gall wrote an <a href="http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/10/01/dispatches-criminalizing-hungary-s-homeless" target="_blank">article</a> for Human Rights Watch reporting the worrying decision by the Hungarian government to make it a criminal offense for the homeless to live in public spaces. The law will come into force next week. Effectively, they have criminalised homelessness since the 30,000 who live on the streets would not be there if they had their own private space to go to. Fines, community service and even a jail sentence can be imposed for the crime of being vulnerable.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Poverty is not a crime'</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Protestors take to the streets in Budapest.</td></tr>
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Back in 2012, UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and extreme poverty Magdalena Sepulveda spoke about the possibility of such a law being passed.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">'By a wave of the legislative pen, the Hungarian Parliament has labelled thousands of homeless people in Hungary to be potential criminals ... Homeless persons should not be deprived of their basic rights to liberty, or to privacy, personal security and protection of the family, only because they are poor and need shelter.'</span></blockquote>
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As we all know, the processing of criminal sanctions is extremely costly and should only be employed where it is the most effective method of deterrence. In this instance, if the ill aiming to be cured is homelessness, it would surely be far more effective to pump resources into helping people escape lives on the streets? Budapest has only 5,500 spaces in shelters and these are dormitory style rooms of 50 beds which are clearly inadequate for families and the very young. Instead of bullying those who cannot fight back, maybe the Hungarian government should look carefully at the ineffective services they provide and pick on each other instead.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236462222672875441noreply@blogger.com0