Brian.
"People on the street are used to being let down. The long-term homeless are used to having to eke out an existence on whatever crumbs they can find. I’ve had hundreds of conversations with them over the last few weeks. They are really struggling with missing their routine. Even if you are homeless, you have a routine. You know when a shop opens and someone might give you a cup of tea or a sandwich, or the guy who always walks past and says hello.
I’ve been volunteering with Under One Sky since 2015. We’re about building up relationships with people on the street. To show them compassion, to sit and talk with them. To help them get documentation with local authorities, to help them get a phone, to put our arms around them and listen to them. To help them get some warm clothes, help them with Universal Credit.
I’ve been out distributing food and supplies almost every day for the last month. I’ve not really had time to sit and think about the depth of the crisis.
We’ve met so many people in the last few weeks who have been forced into living on the streets, people who have lost their jobs in the hospitality and service sector. It’s so tough for them. They’re not used to the trauma of this life.
I’m a Buddhist. My faith is crucial in driving me to take on this work. It’s made me realise that life is not about me, it’s about helping others. We always say, if not us then who?“
Brian is a father of three and a volunteer with Under One Sky.