Lady, but no Van

[Hare]

Yesterday evening around 8.45pm, just off Grove Vale, a lady who looked as if she was not used to rough sleeping was bedding down. She was standing on Grove Vale itself this morning, cardboard and blankets in hand, appearing to be a bit bewildered. We have notified the StreetLink team (file ref: WD209116) but they generally go out at night when people have settled in to a sheltered niche so, if anyone sees this lady, could you maybe take a moment to call StreetLink on 0300 500 0914, give the reference and update them on her whereabouts? Thank you.

[Otta]

Did you speak to her at all?

[Hare]

A combination of being late already and not wanting to rush up and alarm her meant that we didn't speak to her either time, though it has been reported to us third-hand that she is Dutch and has 'lost everything' - though I'm not sure about the veracity of either of those observations. There has also been a report that an ambulance and police car were at East Dulwich train station earlier this evening, but it's not at all clear that this was anything to do with this lady.

[Otta]

Bless her, not a good time of year (not that any time is good) to be introduced to sleeping rough!

[Hare]

Dead right! Always difficult to know what to do for the best when encountering rough sleepers close up. To be a rough sleeper in the first place means there must have been some sort of traumatic event or downward spiral in the person's life and most of us are just not equipped to offer the sort of support that is any use. We dutifully donate to Thamesreach and do volunteerng but when it comes to actually taking the initiative, it's always a risk that you'll get into more than you bargained for. Still, can't just walk on by........

[red devil]

Does anyone remember the guy on here who was selling all his stuff in order to buy a sleeping bag etc in preparation for being homeless and sleeping rough? Must've been a few years now...

[Hare]

Help, everyone, please - she is not sleeping in the same spot tonight, so the Streetlink outreach team won't be able to locate her.....keep your eyes out and let them know on 0300 5000914, file ref: WD209116

[minder]

I do remember him red devil if it was the same person! Wasn't he selling his flat contents?

[Sue]

Why on earth has this thread been lounged?

[ratty]

Can I use add that streelink are not an outreach team. They simply take intelligence on rough sleepers and pass it on. The outreach team in Southwark is run by St Mungo's Broadway and is called the Street Popilation outreach Team, or SPOT.

As said in the ED thread I will contact southwards rough sleeper coordinator later today about this.

[Administrator]

I moved it to the Lounge based on the title, I don't always read the actual post. I see there's now another thread about this in the ED Issues section.

[Carrie]

To Red Devil/Minder

I think a few of us on here helped him out with showers, washing clothes etc while he was sleeping rough (in Dulwich Woods) and I found him a flat to stay in via some estate agents quite quickly so he managed to sort himself out as far as I know - Haven't been in contact with him since that time so not sure what he is doing now.

[red devil]

Thanks for the update Carrie, good to hear, let's hope he's continuing to do well...