Christmas advice for Neil and Cocoa

[civilservant]

Do you know Neil who sells the Big Issue outside Londis on North Cross Road, helped by Cocoa, the lovely pup who wears a fetching blue coat?

This year Neil doesn't know where he's going to spend Christmas. None of the places he knows about allow dogs, so he and Cocoa face the prospect of being separated. (It's his first Christmas with Cocoa, who is one year old).

Does anyone know of anywhere that will accept dogs like Cocoa and allow them to spend Christmas together? Any advice or suggestions greatly appreciated!

[ratty]

Is Neil actually without address? i.e. rough sleeping? If so, a referral to StreetLink would be timely.

http://www.streetlink.org.uk/

Plenty of hostels accept people with dogs nowadays so it should not be a barrier to getting housed, and whilst many hostels are not exactly pleasent, they are part of a journey into independent housing.

Let me know if there is any more info you may need. I have been working in homelessness for 20 years.

[civilservant]

ratty, I've PM-ed you

[arthurthecat]

Just did a quick search and found St Mungos in SE London.

I can call tomorrow to enquire, let me know...

http://www.mungos.org/press_office/631_residents-pets-at-st-mungo-s-hostel-the-stars-of-the-show

[civilservant]

Thanks, atc, that would be great.

I note that Crisis may also take dogs and will phone them to find out.

[newboots]

What about the Salvation Army just up the road? I don't know if they take dogs, by the way, I was just trying to think local.

[jonny vantastic]

No second night out can help. Pm me of you want any help. Meantime I'll go see him

[ratty]

Can I just say that for all these organisations (St Mungo's and NSNO) someone would need to be referred. Also, from a PM conversation last night it may be that this chap is not homeless as such, but looking for support and events for the homeless at Christmas. (Homelessness is about more than having a home of course, and is about resettlement into secure and independent accommodation, rebuilding social networks and ones life).

Having said that, NSNO and Mungo's (my employers for 8 happy years) would be sure to have a list of support and activity available to "homeless" people over the festive period.

(Fairly sure the Big Issue would have too however).

Best of luck!

[fl0wer]

Of interest : http://bringthedog.co.uk/feature-articles/hearthounds/

and a 6 minute video => http://www.theguardian.com/society/video/2013/nov/13/dogs-homeless-leeds-video

[civilservant]

Ratty and all, thanks for the suggestions for investigation. Jonny v, I'm sure they would appreciate the chat.

Very sobering to think of the maze that many people have to navigate just to fill a few basic needs.

[Sue]

Is this the same very friendly guy who sells the Big Issue further down Lordship Lane, on the same side but near the hospice shop?

If so, I have never noticed the dog!

If not, I don't recall ever seeing him. I've never noticed anybody selling anything outside Londis.

[BeccaL]

No, the one by the hospice shop is Kelvin, who is lovely! Has a dog but doesn't bring him with him when selling. Also never seen anybody selling outside Londis!

[civilservant]

No, not a figment of my imagination!

I don't know Kelvin, who must be the man outside the St Christopher's shop during the day. Neil tends to be outside Londis in the evenings. You certainly won't miss him or the dog if you go past around 7pm most days.

And then there's the woman who sells the Big Issue outside the Co-op.

Overall, I seem to have noticed an increase in the number of people needing basic support. There are more people sleeping rough around the Elephant and Castle now (I pass through there every day) than I have seen for years.

[ratty]

Street count in a neighboring london borough 3 weeks ago was 16 rough sleepers. I dont have the figure for Southwark but I imagine it would be higher. Sadly I think we will see these figures going up and up with the further bite of the bedroom tax and universal credit. Some landlords reportedly refusing to accomodate those on universal credit as it is too much of a financial risk to them.

A grim by product of the recession this. And with funding slashed for the agencies that work with homeless people, then we can expect some further difficulties over the next few years.

We have lived in the relative comfort of safety net housing pretty much guaranteed since 2000. It is no longer there for many.

[Sue]

It's disgraceful.

I remember how shocked I was when returning to London in the eighties at the huge numbers of people sleeping rough eg in Waterloo. I never thought we'd be returning to those days :(

[arthurthecat]

Called Mungos and per Ratty's not they only accept rough sleepers (and their pets) so it ready does depend on his situation. They were very helpful and suggested that Crisis in Bermondsy will have events on over the festive.

http://www.crisis.org.uk/pages/crisis-skylight-london.html

There is also The Ace of Clubs - a drop in center, not so central though and located in Clapham but the facilities look good.

http://aceofclubs.org.uk/find-ace/

Just shout if there's anything else that can be done to help.

[civilservant]

Thanks AtC, I didn't manage to phone anywhere myself today so good on you. I'll pass on the Crisis info to Neil, who was there again outside Londis this eve with Cocoa.

[arthurthecat]

Quick update - crisis: Neil take his pooch on Xmas day, ace of clubs they don't allow pets in the hall but the lady mentioned that people secure their dog's leads and leave them in the grounds while they are inside.... 12-2pm free, Xmas lunch etc.