Homeless disabled man I see in Forest Hill Road area.

[baruchsol]

I wanted to ask if anyone knows about a homeless disabled man in a wheelchair whom I occasionally meet around where I live on Forest Hill Road. I've occasionally got him things he's asked for e.g. blankets, soup and cider. He looks oldish and weatherbeaten and has an Irish accent. He's a pleasant and appreciative. I'm just concerned about him because he doesn't look in good health.

I don't know if he'd be amenable to people helping him find accommodation suited to his needs or to accessing other appropriate help but I felt I should flag him up. It's possible that someone could offer him help or me advice on pointing him in the right direction.

In any case, even if he chooses not to avail himself of whatever help may be available, it would surely be a good thing if residents are aware of him and look out for his welfare.

[Ronnijade]

I've seen this man on a couple of occasions too, one of them being when he was once sat outside the entrance of the park on Forest Hill Rd randomly shouting at people which is a little unsettling however pleasant and appreciative he may be... He obviously needs help. :(

[baruchsol]

Thanks for the reply. I also met him there once. I haven't personally witnessed any shouting at people though it's perfectly possible. On that occasion I gave him an old duvet. He stopped me the next day to tell me how useful it had been.

What concerns me is that he just doesn't look well enough to be sleeping rough.

[KidKruger]

If shouting at people is a barometer for needing help then half of London should be signed-up.

If you've fallen on hard times or are struggling a bit, shouting now and then would be your entitlement surely ?

[Pugwash]

One of the Homeless Charities - I cannot remember which one had outreach workers who will 'visit' the homeless person to see if they wish help. They also keep a data base of the people they approach.

I had to deal with an elderly homeless man who was very unwell and he was placed temporarily in a care home whilst he recovered and I got to know this charity quite well whilst I was dealing with him. It was several years ago and in the winter. I do not think it was St Mungo's.

[curlylocks]

There is this: http://www.nosecondnightout.org.uk/

Although when I contacted them previously it appeared that the homeless person had to be in the same location for 3 nights, which was frustrating. Sorry i don?t know of any other alternative.

[ratty]

http://www.streetlink.org.uk/ is he is sleeping rough. No Second Night Out cannot help as they only take referrals from Street Outreach teams.

Has he got both legs by the way?

[karkulka]

Hi, I see this guy in the forest hill Peckham rye borders. He is a single lower limb amputee in a wheel chair. Ive never seen any aggression from him but I assume he is sleeping rough. I don't know how he manages. Poor thing.

[alice]

Maybe not sleeping out.

[ratty]

If it is who I think it is then he is not sleeping out. Is his name Paul?

[baruchsol]

Many thanks everyone for the feedback.

I saw him again tonight and I broached the question of accommodation with him. he appears to have had his fair share of living in homeless shelters with promises of more permanent accommodation which din't materialise. He explained all this very civilly and patiently.

Given how gruesome homeless shelters can be, I have some sympathy with his not wanting to go through the palaver all over again. I also found what he said sadly believable.

He mentioned the thing about having to sleep rough in the same location for three nights.

He is the guy with the lower leg missing. I haven't asked him his name so don't know whether he's called Paul.

I don't know if anything can be done for him, but either way I felt it would be useful as it might encourage others to look out for his welfare.

[tomskip]

I do wonder how much more gruesome is it to sleep in a homeless shelter than to sleep rough, but am lucky in that I haven't had to experience either.

If people don't want a room in a shelter, then fair play. There are folk who live on the street who really do not want to be helped. Give them plenty of offers but if those are constantly turned down then let them be, I say.

Behaving aggressively or in a threatening manner to passers by is a separate issue.

[Sue]

It doesn't sound like he has turned down offers.

On the contrary, it sounds like he was promised things which didn't happen.

[alice]

I've seen him in a certain spot at night twice this week.

Not there now

[Twilight2014]

I have seen him too and I do talk to him any have given him money as he looks trusted.

[jenny.d]

ratty Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> If it is who I think it is then he is not sleeping

> out. Is his name Paul?

If you are thinking of Paul that used to be around lordship lane, it is not him. He was admitted to hospital a while back and they found him a care home in Bromley, so he is no longer in the area or homeless.

[ratty]

That does sound like who I mean.

[jenny.d]

paul ( the man in the wheelchair that used to be around lordship lane) passed away on august 31st. his funeral (cremation) will be on October 4th at honor oak at 12.15

[jimbo1964]

He's sleeping by the Dunstans Rd / Forest Hill Rd gate of Peckham Rye Park. He seems to have a regular supply of canned Jack Daniels. He really looks in a bad way. I'm not sure what his options are in these days of austerity? Homeless levels seem to be getting back to the level they were in Thatcher's time.

[Chocky]

Poor chap slept out in the rain on the corner of Colyton Road/Forest Hill Road & Peckham Rye park Sunday night & was there again this evening (Monday). I've seen him around for a few months but (naively) hadn't realised until today that he was sleeping rough. He's always been v civil when I've seen him. Not sure whether anyone else has done this, but I'll ask councillors whether Southwark can help.

[Renata Hamvas]

Hi Chocky, I'm currently making enquiries to see if Southwark is aware of this gentleman and if there is something that can be done to help him.

Renata

[bermygirl31]

This chap is well known to the police and to various shelters. He is quite a friendly man, but unfortunately he doesn't want to follow the rules of the shelters, i.e., no drinking and curfew etc. He has several children as well - but this is a sad case of you cannot help someone who doesn't want the help.

[yeknomyeknom]

My heart certainly goes out to him. It really does. Nonetheless he starts drinking quite early and gets very rowdy. It's very intimidating for my young child and his new spot outside the park isn't great for the young families going in and out.

[Renata Hamvas]

I have been making further enquiries today. It appears he is known to local agencies and social services. He was accommodated in a special unit in Nunhead.

Renata

[Renata Hamvas]

If he is who local agencies think he is, his name is John. Agencies are trying to sort him out accommodation as we speak. If he has moved location, please let me know.

Thanks

Renata