Jump to content

"Homeless American Veteran" Denmark Hill Station

EDmummy

By EDmummy
in General ED Issues / Gossip

 Share

Recommended Posts

Sally Eva

Sally Eva

Posted
Posted

People with mental health problems are a significant proportion of the homeless and can be difficult to help. They don't manage money, housing or personal relationships very well. The trauma of war means ex-soldiers can find themselves on the streets.


An organisation that tries to help is http://www.nosecondnightout.org.uk. Centrepoint helps homeless young people and the much-maligned council houses many of them. There's a Southwark Food Bank and the Manna Centre in SE1 is a place where people can wash, chat and receive their post.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
ED_moots

ED_moots

Posted
Posted
Spoke to this guy about a week ago. He was holding out what appeared to be a genuine US passport and some sort of military service ID. Says he's from new York but came to UK to start a better life. I believe him that support of ex service personell I US is limited. Has no money but does have a place to stay. He says he sometimes hangs out by the Plough. Clearly has mental health issues possibly PTSD but i didnt push the subject and am not qualified to diagnose. Difficult to know what kind of help he wanted or needed rally. Was thoroughly pessimistic about the types of help available; embassy, hostels, social services etc. Even though he was standing opposite the Salvation Army building. Was very friendly but loud, gave him 2 quid as I didn't have the "couple of bucks he was asking for
Link to comment
Share on other sites
sally buying

sally buying

Posted
Posted

rendelharris Wrote:

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

> For starters if he's at Denmark Hill station he

> isn't in Dulwich, he's in Camberwell, so that's

> your main point out the window. Secondly, I know

> a US veteran who lives in East Dulwich - he's

> happily married and settled, but if, heaven

> forfend, he developed mental health issues or in

> some other way found himself on the streets, why

> wouldn't he stay around here? I have no idea if

> this guy's genuine or not, but your cynicism

> reflects little credit on you.



Perhaps your friend could have a word with him and see what the problem/s are. One vet to another

Link to comment
Share on other sites
EDmummy

EDmummy

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks, ED_moots. I didn't pick his accent for NY but def knew it was genuine US (hard to tell though as I only heard a few words). Glad to hear he has somewhere to sleep. He must be in a terrible situation as an non-EU citizen when it comes to healthcare! Can't see him being able to access mental health services through NHS but might be possible through Combat Stress or one of the other veteran orgs.


ED_moots Wrote:

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

> Spoke to this guy about a week ago. He was holding

> out what appeared to be a genuine US passport and

> some sort of military service ID. Says he's from

> new York but came to UK to start a better life. I

> believe him that support of ex service personell I

> US is limited. Has no money but does have a place

> to stay. He says he sometimes hangs out by the

> Plough. Clearly has mental health issues possibly

> PTSD but i didnt push the subject and am not

> qualified to diagnose. Difficult to know what kind

> of help he wanted or needed rally. Was thoroughly

> pessimistic about the types of help available;

> embassy, hostels, social services etc. Even though

> he was standing opposite the Salvation Army

> building. Was very friendly but loud, gave him 2

> quid as I didn't have the "couple of bucks he was

> asking for

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Mick Mac

Mick Mac

Posted
Posted

DulwichBorn&Bred Wrote:

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

> I was at the bus stop today and he was there. A

> lovely chap offered him food, he refused and said

> he needed cash.


Does this guy deserve a personal thread above the other homeless people we have here already. if he's refusing food and wants cash I'd suggest he's dependent upon something that requires cash. possibly if he refuses food he also refuses legitimate help from homeless charities - id say its unlikely he hasn't been offered targeted legitimate assistance already.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
EDmummy

EDmummy

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Mick Mac, I started this thread as I was curious about his story (as I am about most homeless people) and did not have the intention of signalling him out but if I've done so by starting the thread, my bad.


Mick Mac Wrote:

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

> DulwichBorn&Bred Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > I was at the bus stop today and he was there. A

> > lovely chap offered him food, he refused and

> said

> > he needed cash.

>

> Does this guy deserve a personal thread above the

> other homeless people we have here already. if

> he's refusing food and wants cash I'd suggest he's

> dependent upon something that requires cash.

> possibly if he refuses food he also refuses

> legitimate help from homeless charities - id say

> its unlikely he hasn't been offered targeted

> legitimate assistance already.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 4 weeks later...
shoshntosh

shoshntosh

Posted
Posted

I'm curious, why does his nationality matter?


Why does it matter if he is or isn't a "actually" veteran?


The point is, the guy is homeless, possibly mentally ill, and he's a human being who clearly needs help. Cash for a quick fix (food or otherwise) is almost never the solution... supporting and volunteering for homeless charities is, not to mention electing a government that understands the serious mental health crisis this country is facing.


Having said that, stopping to talk to vulnerable homeless people -- if it is safe to do so -- can sometimes be a very humanising experience and offer the comfort of personal connection. I applaud the OP for taking an interest.


WHYPETER, I don't see that anyone said "war hero" except YOU, so in future before criticising maybe pay a little bit better attention...? Perhaps you should ask yourself why it's important to you to convert others to your hardened, cynical world view?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Nigello

Nigello

Posted
Posted
While it is important to be charitable it is also important to not be fooled or cheated - if only to prevent others from being so. Assuming everyone is mentally ill is dangerous and patronising and stands in the way of getting at the truth and ultimately helping that person. (I have seen the man and he seems, on the whole, lucid and reasonably fit and the kind of person who could avail himself of usual routes to help - the embassy, charities, etc. I tried to talk to him but he carried on shouting about his plight so I couldn't talk to him further.)
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
  • Advertise Here

  • Latest Discussions

    • ianr
      Penalty charge Turney road junction

      By ianr · Posted

      There have been at least two or three threads on the topic in the last couple of years. I'm afraid they'll all confirm that you assumed wrongly.  I remember looking into it myself and finding nothing to assist anyone who made the same assumption. While recently having a look through the Townley Road appeals decided in 2023, I came across this determination that also clearly spells it out. 31/3/23 Reasons     Mr X appeals against two Penalty Charge Notices. He argues that they have only been issued in order to make money for the council. Mr X states that the restrictions were introduced to make it safe for school students in the morning and afternoon and that as both 26th December 2022 and 2nd January 2023 were public holidays there was no purpose in enforcing the restriction. The appellant states that he was driving to collect an elderly relative. Townley Road is a route that is for buses, cycles and taxis only Monday to Friday 8-9am and 3-4.30pm. The restriction is in operation every Monday to Friday whether or not schools are on holiday or if it is a bank or public holiday. There was no indication on the sign that the prohibition was not being enforced on either Monday 26th December or Monday 2nd January. I have seen the CCTV footage in relation to each contravention. I have also  seen photographs of the signs and camera car footage that show the signs  and warning signs. I find that the signs are clear and that there is sufficient  warning of the restriction to enable a driver to take an alternative route. I find that each contravention occurred. I refuse both appeals.
    • vladi
      Advice welcomed - potential dog kennel hill estate flat purchase

      By vladi · Posted

      I suggest you write to the estate agent asking specific questions and request a written response. Otherwise they will tell you anything to get a sale.
    • NeighbourAlex
      Bike handlebars (cables are cut) now on Shawbury Road. Is this yours?

      By NeighbourAlex · Posted

      Hello, I walked past this a few minutes ago on the corner of Shawbury Road X Lordship Lane. Had a look, put it back but then saw the cut security chain as well 20 meter down the road and thought someone definitely is missing at least some handlebars. If they are still there when I come back I can take them in as I live on the next street, please DM me to arrange pickup if they belong to you.   --- UPDATE: 20:02 PM, it's still there.   I've decided not to touch it again or take it with me as it's oily and the wife will not appreciate it.
    • klockton
      Birthday venue (Dulwich/Forest Hill)

      By klockton · Posted

      There is a lovely children's cafe near Peckham Park  Also there's a art place which does kids art classes etc near East Dulwich Station 

East Dulwich Forum

Established in 2006, we are an online community discussion forum for people who live, work in and visit SE22.

Home
Events
Sign In

Sign In



Or sign in with one of these services

Search
×
    Search In
×
×
  • Create New...