Homelessness: We must not forget rough sleepers during the Covid pandemic – Hayley Matthews

I've not seen much chat recently on how to help people living on the streets during the pandemic.

Things are tough enough during the pandemic without having to face life on the streets, says Hayley Matthews (Picture: Francois le Diascorn/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

Maybe I'm looking in the wrong places (if I am, please give me a steer in the right direction) but it's something that's always on my mind.

I'm grateful for a roof over my head and we never know when things could change so the need to help others is something I try to be conscious of.

I read a lot at the start of last year about people who didn't have a fixed address being let into hotels to be able to shield themselves from the virus.

However, a year on and things don’t seem to be much better (some may say worse) than at the start of the pandemic.

I'm no expert on the situation but it does bother me that some of the most vulnerable, both mentally and physically, are back out on the street and still needing support.

The wee man, Brian, who I make a food parcel for and give a £20 to every now and then when I see him sitting – not begging, just sitting and resting – outside my local supermarket, hasn't been in the area since before Christmas.

The last time I spoke to him properly he was telling me how he'd been put in a hotel for a while up the town and the view was incredible, but the way he explained it to me was that you can have that view anywhere. I could sense his struggle at being indoors and confined to four walls, which was the first time I've ever really thought about how my feeling of security at having four walls around me can be someone else’s idea of restriction.

But nonetheless people living on the street still feel the cold, still need access to clean drinking water, clean clothes and food.

I always try and give Brian some clean socks and some jumpers when I see him but it must be so difficult to stay warm and dry in these months.

I used to take clothes up to St John's at the west end in the winter months but with everywhere closed I'm at a bit of a loss.

I'll be handing in to Steps to Hope but there must be more grassroots projects needing support. I can only hope that people seeing those out on the street needing help will keep an eye on the most vulnerable.

What also concerns me was a recent interview I watched of guys in the UK talking about how there's a lack of enthusiasm for helping people just now, there are fewer places to eat, wash, get clothes cleaned and a lack of general support. One homeless man commented on how he's seeing fewer services to provide help yet he's seeing more and more new people coming on to the streets.

With more people finding themselves unable to pay their rent, bills etc due to lockdown and redundancy, where does that leave them?

It's heartbreaking to say the least but it's in our nature to show kindness to our fellow human beings.

So if you see someone in need of a hot drink and a sandwich please reach out, things are tough enough just now without having to face life on the streets in the pandemic.

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