We are on the final countdown, and nearing the final curtain,only 6 hours to go, before we are asked to leave,im most grateful to Crisis for all that was laid on for us guests, all the ongoing support, that was given from volunteers, and services that were provided to us, and given us a truly magical seven days, Reality has hit home, this maybe selfish thoughts, but find myself looking strait into the bottom level of homelessness, by this i mean the streets,there maybe before the end at 10 am saturday morning, a glimmer of hope, that i may find a place to stay, there are a few winter shelters open, but they do have a referal process, and i suspect that i will not fit the critera,
drink, drugs, mental health venerabilities , so things not looking good at this moment, and i have a strong belief, here we go again" street bound", i will do my best to keep this blog going, for a long as it takes, till i find/or a solution is found for me,
please if one thought remains after all the blogs i have written as the phantom blogger
i am not a statistic, i am a human being, only have a label HOMELESS,
and this label, i do not like to wear..
Seasons greetings, and Happy new year
homeless guest
tone dod
Friday 29 December 2006
Count down to closer
Only a few hours to go and it's quieter than usual. Is this the calm before the storm or is it just that there are just guests left to their own devices? As all the volunteers disappeared one by one. Have they been slowly cooked and eaten over the last seven days? As there was a meat shortage just days before the shelter opened and it seems a bit strange meat was in abundance over the last seven days. Crissy a long term volunteer has disappeared. Samantha and Jasper and Lydia have disappeared in what some would call mysterious circumstances. We believe it was in the stew which was called posh stew by guests. A few of the green badges have also disappeared. it is believed this was just to add a touch of artificial flavoring. Mystery still surrounds the drinkers shelter as now more volunteers are now on the missing list. Will they turn up next year or have they cooked their goose?
Phantom blogger exposed by Maff Potts D.C.L.G
Hi all,Maff Potts has just started a shift a Crisis Open Christmas at the Drinkers Shelter.Maff was the head of the C.O.C for Crisis for three years, before moving to his new postion at the Gov,nt Department,of local goverment and communites, and his new-ongoing role is Head of the Hostels Capital Improvment Programme,in which his responsability is to oversee a government intutive that is a 90.000,000 fund to improve hostel accomdation. A good example of work that has already been completed is a hostel in Liecester called the Dawn center which i had the opportuity to visit
myself some months ago before I became homeless not for the first time and whilst overwhelmed by the changes that had taken place and all for the good of staff and residents.
I now leave the next passage open to Maff and in his own words:
"I started as a volunteer at Crisis Open Christmas (COC) and I am back where I started. This is my family at Christmas although I have a family of my own; wife and one child (Fred, one year old). I am doing a couple of shifts to help this year and it's not really an option to stop helping out at COC because once you have been involved you are part of the family.
"There is something about COC... it's the best no bull shit , everyone is on the same level; guests, volunteers, service providers. We all know why we are here, it is to help homeless and excluded people.
Also because Paul Andrews has an attraction and I always had a thing for him and another thing I would like to say is it's good to see you again Doddy!"
AAahhhh!! I have been exposed!! The phantom blogger is none less than Tony Dodson, thank you Maff!
the ex-phantom's snapshot interview with Maff Potts
myself some months ago before I became homeless not for the first time and whilst overwhelmed by the changes that had taken place and all for the good of staff and residents.
I now leave the next passage open to Maff and in his own words:
"I started as a volunteer at Crisis Open Christmas (COC) and I am back where I started. This is my family at Christmas although I have a family of my own; wife and one child (Fred, one year old). I am doing a couple of shifts to help this year and it's not really an option to stop helping out at COC because once you have been involved you are part of the family.
"There is something about COC... it's the best no bull shit , everyone is on the same level; guests, volunteers, service providers. We all know why we are here, it is to help homeless and excluded people.
Also because Paul Andrews has an attraction and I always had a thing for him and another thing I would like to say is it's good to see you again Doddy!"
AAahhhh!! I have been exposed!! The phantom blogger is none less than Tony Dodson, thank you Maff!
the ex-phantom's snapshot interview with Maff Potts
Found views of Guest , by Phantom blogger
hi all, have just been talking to a gentleman who has taken part as a interviwee in the Crisis Open Christmas survey of guests survey, i will allow him to express his own views by letting him type the next passage......
Hi - this is my fifth year of using Crisis over Christmas and in general I think it has improved a bit. However, ironically one of the things I liked least was my experience of the guest survey in the main shelter. I had just come from the so-called quiet room, where I had been quite happily minding my own business and doing some reflecting when a gentleman from the Samaritans went out of his way to engage me in conversation. Because I know that (because they are the Samaritans) they find it difficult to get people to talk to them, I thought I'll be nice to him and talk to him - and I was more open with him about my thoughts and feelings than, in retrospect, I should have been - I made it clear that this was a casual not a "Samaritans" conversation, but he misinterpreted something I said and started laying a whole trip on me in an icredibly patronising way - I had to ask him to go away - they're as bad as Christian fundamentalists or Trotskyites. The whole thing actually really brought me down - it was a complete imposition. Anyway, having failed to get any peace I returned to my friends in the main shelter and agreed to the survey. Look, this was the last survey this guy did for the day, he was probably tired, bored and had a stinking headache, but still, it was a pain. I wish I could remember details, but fundamentally, while saying that I should take as much time as I liked and should say what I liked, it was obvious that the opposite was the case - he had an agenda, I didn't have the time to reflect on what to say that I wanted - consequently I didn't remember things - I wanted to look at the questions (because some things could be said in different places, and it wanted to look at where to put them, but all he wanted to do was fill in boxes with simple remarks, he kept filling stuff in or writing stuff and then saying is that OK - he wanted me to agree to certain things because then Crisis can get more money for those services etc etc. Particular comments of mine were truncated so that they didn't make sense. Look, I have previous experience of Crisis so called Research - and I know that the conclusions have been drawn before the survey is done - it wasn't much different from what I expected.
Theses are the views of a guest, i had a chat to and asked if him,if he liked to
express his views to the Phantom blogger and to the bigger audiance...The Phantom Blogger
Interviewee, verfied by Chris Clements C.O.C ..
Hi - this is my fifth year of using Crisis over Christmas and in general I think it has improved a bit. However, ironically one of the things I liked least was my experience of the guest survey in the main shelter. I had just come from the so-called quiet room, where I had been quite happily minding my own business and doing some reflecting when a gentleman from the Samaritans went out of his way to engage me in conversation. Because I know that (because they are the Samaritans) they find it difficult to get people to talk to them, I thought I'll be nice to him and talk to him - and I was more open with him about my thoughts and feelings than, in retrospect, I should have been - I made it clear that this was a casual not a "Samaritans" conversation, but he misinterpreted something I said and started laying a whole trip on me in an icredibly patronising way - I had to ask him to go away - they're as bad as Christian fundamentalists or Trotskyites. The whole thing actually really brought me down - it was a complete imposition. Anyway, having failed to get any peace I returned to my friends in the main shelter and agreed to the survey. Look, this was the last survey this guy did for the day, he was probably tired, bored and had a stinking headache, but still, it was a pain. I wish I could remember details, but fundamentally, while saying that I should take as much time as I liked and should say what I liked, it was obvious that the opposite was the case - he had an agenda, I didn't have the time to reflect on what to say that I wanted - consequently I didn't remember things - I wanted to look at the questions (because some things could be said in different places, and it wanted to look at where to put them, but all he wanted to do was fill in boxes with simple remarks, he kept filling stuff in or writing stuff and then saying is that OK - he wanted me to agree to certain things because then Crisis can get more money for those services etc etc. Particular comments of mine were truncated so that they didn't make sense. Look, I have previous experience of Crisis so called Research - and I know that the conclusions have been drawn before the survey is done - it wasn't much different from what I expected.
Theses are the views of a guest, i had a chat to and asked if him,if he liked to
express his views to the Phantom blogger and to the bigger audiance...The Phantom Blogger
Interviewee, verfied by Chris Clements C.O.C ..
Thursday 28 December 2006
the phantom blogger looks around South London
Text from swirlydreamer's blog (voulenteer @ crisis) http://swirlydreamer.livejournal.com/6458.html
First of all hope everyone had a very merry xmas and that Santa was good to you! I did, although unfortunately my Dad's out of the country at the moment, so it was just me and my Mum, which was nice, then we went over to Gemma's in the evening which was lovely!
Anyway instead of listing presents and telling you how many times I got beaten playing Scrabble and stuff, I thought I'd tell you all about Crisis' Homeless Shelters around London, which I helped out at on Boxing Day and yesterday. There are 7 centres this year, accommodating about 1,500 homeless people in London over the festive period. I helped out at the South London centre, and I had a truly amazing time!
I met so many people from all walks of live, who for one reason or another had ended up homeless. I have to admit that before I went, I had preconceived ideas, e.g, all the guests would be alcoholics/druggies/gamblers/stupid/nohopers. How wrong I was. It's amazing how 2 days can completely change your outlook on life, and working for Crisis certainly did for me! I met so many wonderful people, including Kevin the poet (who wrote me a special poem...so cute it almost made me cry!) and Riley, a recent graduate from Canada who's work permit application was turned down...I also enjoyed being taught lots of card games from David, who assured me he could teach me many more but they weren't kosher! Charlie the 85 year old was also lovely, and certainly a hit with all the female volunteers! Of course there were some characters who were slightly annoying, as in all walks of life, but generally I really enjoyed just having a good old fashioned chat with people I probably wouldn't have had the chance to talk to otherwise...it was heartwarming to see all the volunteers who had given up their time over Christmas, so many fantastic people from all walks of life, including students, lawyers, journalists, shop workers, animators and so many more. All the medics and therapists who gave up their time were also incredible, and I was fortunate enough to see one gentleman get a massage, which was just so sad. He's been on the streets for many years now, and his face when he had the head massage will never leave me. He fell asleep within a couple of minutes, but he was smiling throughout. It suddenly hit me how hard life is for many of these people, relying on charities like Crisis to give them a place to stay and a hot meal when so many of us are overindulging without a thought for others.
Although the problem is relatively minor in Britain compared to other poverty stricken nations around the world, please spare a thought for the homeless on our streets. Yes many of them may be alcholics or drug addicts, but they deserve to be treated as human beings, and so many of us fail miserably to give them that basic right which all human beings deserve; respect and compassion. Crisis was fantastic, offering lots of support ranging from legal advice to housing and benefits advice to how to write CVs and fill out application forms. It is skills and advice like these which many of these people desperately need, and I believe if it is more freely available the amount of homeless people would dramatically decline.
So next time you pass a homeless person in the street, please spare a thought for them. They may have committed crimes or have horrible personal problems, but they are still people and deserve a smile or a nod from you. The people I met were just so grateful to have someone to talk to, and I know I'll be back next year. Maybe some of you will consider doing the same :) www.crisis.org.uk
If I don't write before New Year, hope 2007 is a healthy, happy and prosperous year for everyone! Much love xxx
First of all hope everyone had a very merry xmas and that Santa was good to you! I did, although unfortunately my Dad's out of the country at the moment, so it was just me and my Mum, which was nice, then we went over to Gemma's in the evening which was lovely!
Anyway instead of listing presents and telling you how many times I got beaten playing Scrabble and stuff, I thought I'd tell you all about Crisis' Homeless Shelters around London, which I helped out at on Boxing Day and yesterday. There are 7 centres this year, accommodating about 1,500 homeless people in London over the festive period. I helped out at the South London centre, and I had a truly amazing time!
I met so many people from all walks of live, who for one reason or another had ended up homeless. I have to admit that before I went, I had preconceived ideas, e.g, all the guests would be alcoholics/druggies/gamblers/stupid/nohopers. How wrong I was. It's amazing how 2 days can completely change your outlook on life, and working for Crisis certainly did for me! I met so many wonderful people, including Kevin the poet (who wrote me a special poem...so cute it almost made me cry!) and Riley, a recent graduate from Canada who's work permit application was turned down...I also enjoyed being taught lots of card games from David, who assured me he could teach me many more but they weren't kosher! Charlie the 85 year old was also lovely, and certainly a hit with all the female volunteers! Of course there were some characters who were slightly annoying, as in all walks of life, but generally I really enjoyed just having a good old fashioned chat with people I probably wouldn't have had the chance to talk to otherwise...it was heartwarming to see all the volunteers who had given up their time over Christmas, so many fantastic people from all walks of life, including students, lawyers, journalists, shop workers, animators and so many more. All the medics and therapists who gave up their time were also incredible, and I was fortunate enough to see one gentleman get a massage, which was just so sad. He's been on the streets for many years now, and his face when he had the head massage will never leave me. He fell asleep within a couple of minutes, but he was smiling throughout. It suddenly hit me how hard life is for many of these people, relying on charities like Crisis to give them a place to stay and a hot meal when so many of us are overindulging without a thought for others.
Although the problem is relatively minor in Britain compared to other poverty stricken nations around the world, please spare a thought for the homeless on our streets. Yes many of them may be alcholics or drug addicts, but they deserve to be treated as human beings, and so many of us fail miserably to give them that basic right which all human beings deserve; respect and compassion. Crisis was fantastic, offering lots of support ranging from legal advice to housing and benefits advice to how to write CVs and fill out application forms. It is skills and advice like these which many of these people desperately need, and I believe if it is more freely available the amount of homeless people would dramatically decline.
So next time you pass a homeless person in the street, please spare a thought for them. They may have committed crimes or have horrible personal problems, but they are still people and deserve a smile or a nod from you. The people I met were just so grateful to have someone to talk to, and I know I'll be back next year. Maybe some of you will consider doing the same :) www.crisis.org.uk
If I don't write before New Year, hope 2007 is a healthy, happy and prosperous year for everyone! Much love xxx
Guests view of Drinkers centre 2006
Im full of praise for the drinkers centre,reason being there is a better atmosphere than the main, Vols are more prepared to take time out and really sit and talk to us guests, there is a green badge, who is also involved in drug dependancy help, he is really good,i,ve had more help here at the drinkers this year, than iv,e had in two years,im really happy here, shame it closes saturday,just wish it could run all year, im getting some help accommodation as well at the drinkers..
Snapshot interview with a homeless guest (posted by the phantom blogger)
Snapshot interview with a homeless guest (posted by the phantom blogger)
New thinking about homelessness please
Hi all. Spotted today (although a bit late): media release from Crisis posted 20 December 2006 and comments made by Duncan Shrubsole(Head of Policy) says,
"Many single homeless people are not included in the latest government figures."
But the issues not just about statistics. We need to be much more ambitious and redouble our efforts if we really want to end homelessness. We need to ensure that there's enough appropriate and affordable housing to encourage rent for single people and families.
It was noted in the Crisis Open Christmas 2005 guest survey that 15% of those sampled said they had a partner. It has become quite obvious to guests staying at the Drinkers' Shelter and volunteers that many here are not single but have a partner. So, in looking at ending homelessness, should not people who have partners be included in looking at the overall ending of homelessness? So, can I suggest a more comprehensive view is taken by policy and research people when looking into ending homelessness.
The new 2007 strategy will be about homeless prevention. How can you prevent something when you can't -- or have problems -- defining what the homeless population is?
Answers please to the homeless population living either on the streets or are hidden homeless. Why are we being excluded from your thoughts on this subject?
Posted by The Phantom Blogger.
"Many single homeless people are not included in the latest government figures."
But the issues not just about statistics. We need to be much more ambitious and redouble our efforts if we really want to end homelessness. We need to ensure that there's enough appropriate and affordable housing to encourage rent for single people and families.
It was noted in the Crisis Open Christmas 2005 guest survey that 15% of those sampled said they had a partner. It has become quite obvious to guests staying at the Drinkers' Shelter and volunteers that many here are not single but have a partner. So, in looking at ending homelessness, should not people who have partners be included in looking at the overall ending of homelessness? So, can I suggest a more comprehensive view is taken by policy and research people when looking into ending homelessness.
The new 2007 strategy will be about homeless prevention. How can you prevent something when you can't -- or have problems -- defining what the homeless population is?
Answers please to the homeless population living either on the streets or are hidden homeless. Why are we being excluded from your thoughts on this subject?
Posted by The Phantom Blogger.
Want to read Volunteers blogs 2006
hi, if you are looking for news about C.O.C this year from other
centres, there is a blog feed, you can use, Simply type: ask.com into
goggle, allow page to appear, then in scroll down bar,on right hand
side,find blogs and feeds,bring up page to screen, type into page
Crisis open christmas 2006,click find, and presto, all the
volunteers views will appear for you to read..
the phantom blogger
centres, there is a blog feed, you can use, Simply type: ask.com into
goggle, allow page to appear, then in scroll down bar,on right hand
side,find blogs and feeds,bring up page to screen, type into page
Crisis open christmas 2006,click find, and presto, all the
volunteers views will appear for you to read..
the phantom blogger
the new learning zone at Crisis
Spotted a poster on the wall,The Learning zone at Crisis.
free courses for homeless and ex-homeless people
can i suggest drop the term ex,
try and get a job, when you are called ex-homeless
it becomes a social stigma
the phantom blogger
free courses for homeless and ex-homeless people
can i suggest drop the term ex,
try and get a job, when you are called ex-homeless
it becomes a social stigma
the phantom blogger
Democratic Values found at Crisis
hi, all readers,
Thursday,dinner time at drinkers centre..
Well must admit i am well contented, and find myself needing to express my
thoughts through this medium,as i have become aware that lots of the vols
are reading the drinkers centre blog, when coming off shift,having a debrief
session, and some make their way, while others still like to mingle with the
guests,before they leave for a well deserved break,While i have been here
have been using some of services provided for guests, IT, well of course
i have using this,this is how i have communicated, mine and others experiances
plus have been able to get, and be given, what i would like to term a full body
M.O.T as when you are the homeless experiance,or a life of poverty, not all
guests here are homeless dont forget, it can become a drain, physically, or
mentally..on the bodys resourses, its quite a well known fact, that the average age
and life expectancy of someone living on the streets is 42 years old, and poverty
is another common factor, in a decrease in a persons life..
Im starting to make some headway, on getting myself somewhere to stay
when the shelters closes, on saturday morning, this help has been ongoing since
i arrived at the centre on the first day, and for many other guests as well, who
find themselves homeless, many through no fault of there own..
The services that have been on offer, not for getting the Drinkers centre is only
one of severn centres Crisis are running this year, are being monitored, by the guests
The,HOW? and by WHO? can be answered.. Bhug.. Brent Homeless users Group
This is a social enterprise group, set up in Brent in 2002 by homeless people ,and or people
have experianced homelessness, they are conducting a peer interviewing exercise
by interviewing 300 guests, around the 7 centres, as to what they thought
of the services on offer to guests,and how they performed, which will be collected
and analysided, so as ensure that only the best is on offer to guests, a offshoot
of this will be to keep in touch, if possiable with a few guests,after the centres have closed
to see what some of the long term outcomes for people have been, since engagement
process had started at Crisis Open Christmas..this i would to term "democratic values"
Looking back in time, we the homeless...
can now Vote.,
you don,t need a address to registar, use for example a daycentres address
you dont need a address to registar with a doctor..
use for example the doctors sugery address, or again a daycentres address
And we the homeless are trying our best, with the help given from the Homeless
Voluntary sector, in gaining access to IT, fine example i can give is CRISIS SKYLIGHT
in Commercial street.. its a centre for homeless and excluded people, in London
where there is a IT suite we can use..
Im starting to find i am having problems getting access to IT in libarys
they are starting to ask people, if you want to use the IT we need a address
and ID as well, by address they mean home address...this making access
more diffucult now, why is this, good job Crisis is on the ball.....
thoughts from a homeless guest
the phantom blogger..
Thursday,dinner time at drinkers centre..
Well must admit i am well contented, and find myself needing to express my
thoughts through this medium,as i have become aware that lots of the vols
are reading the drinkers centre blog, when coming off shift,having a debrief
session, and some make their way, while others still like to mingle with the
guests,before they leave for a well deserved break,While i have been here
have been using some of services provided for guests, IT, well of course
i have using this,this is how i have communicated, mine and others experiances
plus have been able to get, and be given, what i would like to term a full body
M.O.T as when you are the homeless experiance,or a life of poverty, not all
guests here are homeless dont forget, it can become a drain, physically, or
mentally..on the bodys resourses, its quite a well known fact, that the average age
and life expectancy of someone living on the streets is 42 years old, and poverty
is another common factor, in a decrease in a persons life..
Im starting to make some headway, on getting myself somewhere to stay
when the shelters closes, on saturday morning, this help has been ongoing since
i arrived at the centre on the first day, and for many other guests as well, who
find themselves homeless, many through no fault of there own..
The services that have been on offer, not for getting the Drinkers centre is only
one of severn centres Crisis are running this year, are being monitored, by the guests
The,HOW? and by WHO? can be answered.. Bhug.. Brent Homeless users Group
This is a social enterprise group, set up in Brent in 2002 by homeless people ,and or people
have experianced homelessness, they are conducting a peer interviewing exercise
by interviewing 300 guests, around the 7 centres, as to what they thought
of the services on offer to guests,and how they performed, which will be collected
and analysided, so as ensure that only the best is on offer to guests, a offshoot
of this will be to keep in touch, if possiable with a few guests,after the centres have closed
to see what some of the long term outcomes for people have been, since engagement
process had started at Crisis Open Christmas..this i would to term "democratic values"
Looking back in time, we the homeless...
can now Vote.,
you don,t need a address to registar, use for example a daycentres address
you dont need a address to registar with a doctor..
use for example the doctors sugery address, or again a daycentres address
And we the homeless are trying our best, with the help given from the Homeless
Voluntary sector, in gaining access to IT, fine example i can give is CRISIS SKYLIGHT
in Commercial street.. its a centre for homeless and excluded people, in London
where there is a IT suite we can use..
Im starting to find i am having problems getting access to IT in libarys
they are starting to ask people, if you want to use the IT we need a address
and ID as well, by address they mean home address...this making access
more diffucult now, why is this, good job Crisis is on the ball.....
thoughts from a homeless guest
the phantom blogger..
Wednesday 27 December 2006
the work goes on
Well its 5am thursday, party over in day room,most guests have retired to get a few hours
sleep,a small band of die-hards remain, plus some guests slowly arising from their sleep..
a small group has formed, and are playing cards in the main dayroom,and around them
the volunteers are busy with brooms and pans, sweeping the floors, and getting things
prepared for the day, The I.T section which has 8 p.c stations, is half full already, reading
mails,playing cards, and one guest is reciving some I.T. training from a volunteer, and
dont forget this is all going on at 5 am thursday morning, good job we have a 24 hour
cafe, at our disposal, again being staffed by vols...
Kitchen staff already busy, preparing breakfast, its a wonder to
watch,which reminds me, we also have a cctv near to front enterance
which is manned 24 hours..
me im off to sleep for a couple of hours
catch ya later
the phantom blogger
sleep,a small band of die-hards remain, plus some guests slowly arising from their sleep..
a small group has formed, and are playing cards in the main dayroom,and around them
the volunteers are busy with brooms and pans, sweeping the floors, and getting things
prepared for the day, The I.T section which has 8 p.c stations, is half full already, reading
mails,playing cards, and one guest is reciving some I.T. training from a volunteer, and
dont forget this is all going on at 5 am thursday morning, good job we have a 24 hour
cafe, at our disposal, again being staffed by vols...
Kitchen staff already busy, preparing breakfast, its a wonder to
watch,which reminds me, we also have a cctv near to front enterance
which is manned 24 hours..
me im off to sleep for a couple of hours
catch ya later
the phantom blogger
Blog from Main 27th dec/ the phantom blogger
December 27, 2006
Crisis Open Christmas 2006: Days Four and Five
Ha! So three COC Green Badges read this blog (GB Stuart told me this morning that he'd read my Christmas Eve entry...). I note that a grand total of none of'em goes on to leave a comment... ;-)
I didn't write an entry yesterday because several of us went to the pub after the shift finished and after a couple of pints, all I wanted to do when I made it home was to go to bed.
I was in the dining room again yesterday, doing the same thing as the previous two days, but with half the volunteers! Numbers always fall off after Christmas Day, although I don't remember the drop being quite as much as this year.
Notwithstanding the lack of vols, breakfast and lunch were served on time and we managed to clean the place up before the afternoon shift came in to take over (I did leave one guest fast asleep on his chair for the new shift to look after - I figure if someone is tired enough to sleep despite two vacuum cleaners working busily around them, there is a high chance that they need the sleep and should be left where they are, so we did).
Today brought a whole new source of fun: I was on the Main Gate, which is the welcoming committee for any guests entering the centre.
During setup last Saturday, when we erected the perimeter fences, we used some of the fencing panels to create a 'gate' comprising a passageway of approximately three metres width. This passage is where female volunteers pat down guests to try to ensure that nobody brings booze or other unwanted items (mainly booze) onto the premises. Once frisked, guests are then given a wristband that allows them to access services and Crisis to aggregate data on where resource are consumed during the Open. Then they are directed to an information point inside the centre where they can find out about what is on offer.
Once again, the general volunteers I worked with were tremendous and succeeded in maintaining a light-hearted atmosphere, in which guests were, for the most part, happy for their clothes and bags to be checked. Occasionally someone would object to having their beer cans taken off them, so they sat outside the entrance to finish them off before going in. I'm pleased to report that they largely cleaned up after themselves, which made tidying very simple indeed (thanks Kevin).
At one point a couple of bobbies walked past on their beat. They showed general interest in how the centre was going and were impressed by the number of guests who are being catered for. They went on their way, waving to a group of soon-to-be guests who were tucking into a couple of bottles of White Ace. The laissez-faire attitude that the police show to the Open is one element of the latter's success: guests are generally VERY wary of authority and institutions, so would not welcome a heavy police presence.
Over the course of the day I gave out over a packet of cigarettes to guests (a smoke goes down nicely after White Ace...). Ciggies are extremely useful as an excuse to chat to guests or to deflate moments of tension or high spirits, so Crisis provides a sporadic supply of them to volunteers to give to guests. Personally, I have always found it most effective to stop and have a smoke with guests if I have time (yeah, yeah, smoking is bad for me, yeah, yeah... I'll give up again in the new year...). I'm not sure if I'm the only volunteer to cadge cigarettes from guests, but I've formed a loose bond with some guests who might otherwise be unsociable and, unlike some vols I see, I don't generally have the problem of being swamped by guests looking for a free fag (they reckon I'm as likely to ask them for one back).
Most of the day was free of incident and quite jolly, although one guest did have to be escorted off the premises when he became too lively (he'd come in for food, but was too late for lunch and was not best pleased). I worked as a barman in a nightclub for two years in my younger years and every night was far more 'lively'!
Five days down, three to go. I wonder what tomorrow holds...
Posted by dompannell at December 27, 2006 10:50 PM | TrackBack"All you need is Love"
Hi, all well its thursday morning, the party is in full swing here at the Drinkers Centre
by the inhouse disco provided for residents, who unable to sleep, although the number is
small, 35 gives guests, a option from watching Television, or using IT, During the day, we
had many support services at our disposal,dentist, doctor, eye tests, feet checks, counselling
3 hot meals each day,and plenty of snacks in between, showers, new clothes,and a secure
luggage lock to put them, entertainment "live "during the day, rock,and classical...
im sure i have missed a few things, another springs to mind plenty of reading material[books]
showers, thats another one..plenty off ongoing support from volunteers, if you just wanted
to talk to someone, about life in general,and volunteers were also given[must have been in
induction] how and were to link people who were shy? whatever, this so important!
I did type this e-mail out earlier, but lost in transfer to net,anyway while i was typing
this out the first time, two things happened,one was listening to the television
and the song by the BEATLES was being played "All you need is love" and felt
there was a definite vibe, by all the hidden support the guests like myself are given
its that human contact,shaking hands, asking you ok any problems, how are you,
this comes across loud, and clear,The second was i stopped to talk to a volunteer
on my way across one of the many rooms we are in this wharehouse, in which
the Drinkers centre is
The gentlemans name was Wayne, and in conversation,he told me that over
two years ago, he told that he used to be a Herion and Crack user,but had got
himself clean, and was going to stay that way, and had offered his support as
a volunteer to the Crisis Open Christmas centres, of which there are 7 around
London, and of course was at the drinkers shelter, when we met, In his own
words "this has been a very empowering experiance for me helping others"
and keeps my resolve to stay clean...
i finish this blog
with
"All you need is Love"
a street homeless guest
the phantom blogger
by the inhouse disco provided for residents, who unable to sleep, although the number is
small, 35 gives guests, a option from watching Television, or using IT, During the day, we
had many support services at our disposal,dentist, doctor, eye tests, feet checks, counselling
3 hot meals each day,and plenty of snacks in between, showers, new clothes,and a secure
luggage lock to put them, entertainment "live "during the day, rock,and classical...
im sure i have missed a few things, another springs to mind plenty of reading material[books]
showers, thats another one..plenty off ongoing support from volunteers, if you just wanted
to talk to someone, about life in general,and volunteers were also given[must have been in
induction] how and were to link people who were shy? whatever, this so important!
I did type this e-mail out earlier, but lost in transfer to net,anyway while i was typing
this out the first time, two things happened,one was listening to the television
and the song by the BEATLES was being played "All you need is love" and felt
there was a definite vibe, by all the hidden support the guests like myself are given
its that human contact,shaking hands, asking you ok any problems, how are you,
this comes across loud, and clear,The second was i stopped to talk to a volunteer
on my way across one of the many rooms we are in this wharehouse, in which
the Drinkers centre is
The gentlemans name was Wayne, and in conversation,he told me that over
two years ago, he told that he used to be a Herion and Crack user,but had got
himself clean, and was going to stay that way, and had offered his support as
a volunteer to the Crisis Open Christmas centres, of which there are 7 around
London, and of course was at the drinkers shelter, when we met, In his own
words "this has been a very empowering experiance for me helping others"
and keeps my resolve to stay clean...
i finish this blog
with
"All you need is Love"
a street homeless guest
the phantom blogger
cough, cough, cough..
Word for me today is "symbiotic relationships". By this i mean how we all seem to be getting
on together, okay has its moments, like all things in life, you put people from all walks of into
a building, and in this case its the drinkers shelter, and you are bound to have a few rash
moments, but these moments have been dealt with admirabily by the expertise of the green
badges, in conjuction with volunteers who are service providers, who wear badges with a
orange ring on the outside edge of badge, and volunteers who wear plain white badges..
and LOTS of common sense..instead of petty, rules and regulations, that abound within
the homeless sector providers of accommodation, i can only relate this too battery
chickens, who peck at each other, when not having enough space to move, and other
problems that arise when couping up chickens, they get de-clawed. There is a atmosphere
of social acceptance,we all together, which draws me to the message heading coughing !
What do i mean? as most guests are smokers,,and with the new rules and
regulations coming into force soon,how will the shelters operate in the future
what will they be designated as, will probally be the deciding factor,
and going back to social acceptance, its has been noticed that after talking
to lots of the volunteers, that they do not smoke, but have accepted that
most guests do, and i for one have not heard any complaints..
so there we are ,with a bit of respect for each other
the world could be a much nicer place to live in..
The phantom blogger
on together, okay has its moments, like all things in life, you put people from all walks of into
a building, and in this case its the drinkers shelter, and you are bound to have a few rash
moments, but these moments have been dealt with admirabily by the expertise of the green
badges, in conjuction with volunteers who are service providers, who wear badges with a
orange ring on the outside edge of badge, and volunteers who wear plain white badges..
and LOTS of common sense..instead of petty, rules and regulations, that abound within
the homeless sector providers of accommodation, i can only relate this too battery
chickens, who peck at each other, when not having enough space to move, and other
problems that arise when couping up chickens, they get de-clawed. There is a atmosphere
of social acceptance,we all together, which draws me to the message heading coughing !
What do i mean? as most guests are smokers,,and with the new rules and
regulations coming into force soon,how will the shelters operate in the future
what will they be designated as, will probally be the deciding factor,
and going back to social acceptance, its has been noticed that after talking
to lots of the volunteers, that they do not smoke, but have accepted that
most guests do, and i for one have not heard any complaints..
so there we are ,with a bit of respect for each other
the world could be a much nicer place to live in..
The phantom blogger
anybody seen any snow
http://londonhomeless.blogspot.com/2006/12/cold-facts.html
Hi campers this came out this morning
the phantom blogger
Hi campers this came out this morning
the phantom blogger
Tuesday 26 December 2006
hot pot Boxing day
Hot POT...
Chicken stew tonight, the cure all, for those with a bit of a hang-over
from Christmas day, and the guests also had Chicken stew, was made in
what i must decribe as some of the biggest cooking pots i have ever seen
and not just one ,but two containers full,and if that did not fill you, their was
on offer afterwards a sweet..what can one say,and not forgetting this is all
laid on free of charge to guests, and volunteers,
Well done all the people, who we really dont see, or get to know..
who work given truly amazing logistic support, and hard work,in putting this
all together, and don,t forget the people who work in the kitchens,
its truly a amazing thing " the crisis family"
the phantom blogger
Chicken stew tonight, the cure all, for those with a bit of a hang-over
from Christmas day, and the guests also had Chicken stew, was made in
what i must decribe as some of the biggest cooking pots i have ever seen
and not just one ,but two containers full,and if that did not fill you, their was
on offer afterwards a sweet..what can one say,and not forgetting this is all
laid on free of charge to guests, and volunteers,
Well done all the people, who we really dont see, or get to know..
who work given truly amazing logistic support, and hard work,in putting this
all together, and don,t forget the people who work in the kitchens,
its truly a amazing thing " the crisis family"
the phantom blogger
recycling...the bones..part two
I think, go back to jamie,s idea
im getting hungry,
volunteer hot pot...
im getting hungry,
volunteer hot pot...
recycling...the bones
WASTE
Something you learn if you are homeless, is about waste managment..
and this went across the board, guests,volunteers...today
did you notice how much was left on peoples plates, after dinner today
which was the fish,more bones than fish , and when you got there...!
well disapointing i think is the most polite way of putting it..
after such a good day Christmas day at the drinkers
homeless guest [streets]
Something you learn if you are homeless, is about waste managment..
and this went across the board, guests,volunteers...today
did you notice how much was left on peoples plates, after dinner today
which was the fish,more bones than fish , and when you got there...!
well disapointing i think is the most polite way of putting it..
after such a good day Christmas day at the drinkers
homeless guest [streets]
the Baby grows , from C.O.C. 1997
This looks familiar, peer interviewing, i wonder where the the baby
was born,and who held the baby for a long time...
now being conducted by Bhug
the Phantom blogger, where he move next?
was born,and who held the baby for a long time...
now being conducted by Bhug
the Phantom blogger, where he move next?
Christmas Crisis is averted
another interesting post found from a Crisis Volunteer
yet another IT souce found by a guest [the -phantom homeless blogger]
yet another IT souce found by a guest [the -phantom homeless blogger]
iteresting post from dom pannell
this found by a homeless guest at drinkers...
http://www.dompannell.com/archives/004244.html
what a great tool the internet is
I,ll drink to that.....
http://www.dompannell.com/archives/004244.html
what a great tool the internet is
I,ll drink to that.....
Recycling
With all the cans, bottles etc generated at COC drinker's shelter, why are there no recycling bins?
Crisis needs to save resources and become "greener". What do you think??
Crisis needs to save resources and become "greener". What do you think??
A big Thankyou
Boxing day,a big thankyou to the green badges, and volunteers at the drinkers shelter,and of course all the other shelters, who have given people like myself,who are street homeless..A really great Chrismas day, i for one am most grateful to you all, even if i was by the end of the day, i was a bit worse for wear, because i had been drinking,i knew ! i was in a safe ! supportive enviroment,Cheers you are brillant
Monday 25 December 2006
Late Afternoon and All's Well
Title says it all, really. We're trucking along up here and everyone seems to be enjoying themselves.
-a slightly tired but happy volunteer
-a slightly tired but happy volunteer
Merry Christmas Everyone
Speaking as an uneaten volunteer, I'm having a great time! Looking forward to Christmas dinner!
hi, all,
Well its Chrismas day, all quiet so far, i,ve been to the Off-licence got a couple of big bottles of
White Strike white cider, this will help me through the day, a geezer just walked past the I.T
section with a daffodil in his hand, was this breakfast? perhaps volunteers were not to his taste!
in thinking jamies comments earlier today,about eating volunteers, Wristbands! the idea
works until you engage with services provided, example: optician you have to give your name
as well as number on wristband, some people have woken up to the fact, that to a certain fact
that we are being, monitored,without our consent given, so the ploy NOW is to swap our
wristbansds around, which i think defeats the whole objective, i for one will keep the wrist band
i was given on till the end, and help Crisis, by allowing them gather the data they need to
help fund the whole Christmas operation
Im a great supporter of CRISIS, they have been there when i needed them
espically around Christmas time, when thoughts go backwards, and you think
of all the happy times,in my life,and this peirod of 7 days, gives time for reflection
thinking where i am, and where i would like to this time next year, which when all
said and, helping others who are suffering the pains, of social exclusion, and Homelessness
being one of the main contributors of this......
as me mum said to me, when the drink goes in,
the brain goe,s OUT
with this i end this blog..
i find typing i pain in the b**t A supportive guest
Well its Chrismas day, all quiet so far, i,ve been to the Off-licence got a couple of big bottles of
White Strike white cider, this will help me through the day, a geezer just walked past the I.T
section with a daffodil in his hand, was this breakfast? perhaps volunteers were not to his taste!
in thinking jamies comments earlier today,about eating volunteers, Wristbands! the idea
works until you engage with services provided, example: optician you have to give your name
as well as number on wristband, some people have woken up to the fact, that to a certain fact
that we are being, monitored,without our consent given, so the ploy NOW is to swap our
wristbansds around, which i think defeats the whole objective, i for one will keep the wrist band
i was given on till the end, and help Crisis, by allowing them gather the data they need to
help fund the whole Christmas operation
Im a great supporter of CRISIS, they have been there when i needed them
espically around Christmas time, when thoughts go backwards, and you think
of all the happy times,in my life,and this peirod of 7 days, gives time for reflection
thinking where i am, and where i would like to this time next year, which when all
said and, helping others who are suffering the pains, of social exclusion, and Homelessness
being one of the main contributors of this......
as me mum said to me, when the drink goes in,
the brain goe,s OUT
with this i end this blog..
i find typing i pain in the b**t A supportive guest
hungry and homeless
Hungry and Homeless, yes the voluteers tasted nice, but can we have the Main Meal today,
Chrismas dinner, can i suggest Tenant pie, with white cider gravy, lvvvvvvvvvvvy grub
and many thanks to volunteers, for given their time,on Christmas Day/..
A homeless guest
Chrismas dinner, can i suggest Tenant pie, with white cider gravy, lvvvvvvvvvvvy grub
and many thanks to volunteers, for given their time,on Christmas Day/..
A homeless guest
shame they were tasty
it's Christmas day all is quiet on the western front volunteers are slowly disappearing. are they becoming the new homeless or are they being eaten by guests from the shelters? Can you imagine a Lynn stew or a Jamie casserole. maybe they just took a walk by the Thames. Shame they were quite tasty.
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