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In this country, people living on the street are given
treatment in psychiatric hospitals where they are fed and can wash and are
given housing opportunities when they find work. My friend was on the street until she went into
hospital where I met her. Now we are friends and she lives with me. This
morning she cooked my breakfast and we go out together. Actually the shrinks are looking for me and came to
the house twice yesterday but I was out. I’m expecting them again this
morning. I will probably be in. I do not know why they want me this time. If I have to go back to hospital she will be homeless
and destitute again. I took images in that vein once of beggars during the
day and big issue sellers. But I got into trouble for showing I’m told they survive about three years on the
street and die of exposure. There are shelters for them but they do not like
being in one in the main, but I did meet one man who wanted money (£3) so
he could pay for two nights in a shelter. I believe if they show them £3
they get free shelter until they ca fend for themselves. They all have a
terrible story to tell. Some are thrown out by their parents, others run away,
and some loose their homes because they lost their jobs. Quite a lot are
immigrants like my friend. My friend became homeless because she lost her job and
she will get no social benefit at all. And because we are friends there is no
housing benefit for me either. She is quite expensive to support and I have
only my pension but it is nice to have a friend who wears my ring. Chris From: owner- Great use of photography as a tool for social
change. Although I have my doubts about the effectiveness these
things still need to be chronicled. |
