Brentwood School - Brentwoodian 2020

9 Homelessness Homelessness is a current issue which we often neglect, or put aside based on the mere fact that it has nothing to do with us: we could not be more wrong nor delusional. As humans, we cannot merely assume that an issue does not impact us if it is not a personal problem, and homelessness is not the only thing. Far from it. Undertaking the study of Global Politics has been a blessing in disguise for me as it has enabled me to not only recognise worldwide problems but understand them too. This is what has led me to this article: my keen interest in not only learning more about the various issues around our world but also researching them and finding out how to tackle them. Due to this, I chose to look into one issue in particular, relevant to our entire world: homelessness. While investigating this issue and its relevance to our society, I began to understand the significance of this in greater depth. This is not a fading problem, far from that; it is an issue currently occurring. As I dived deeper into this issue, I was quick to find three different companies and organisations who shared their perspectives on homelessness with me. For example, ‘Friends of Essex and London Homeless’ (FOELH) is an organisation which provides a warm meal and drink to anyone who chooses to come by; the workers are always prepared to sit down and chat with the people who come and go throughout the day. Not only are they allocating their time to this, but each worker is incredibly committed, and by solely hearing about their experiences, one can tell how meaningful their work is to each individual. Besides this, there is also HARP, a housing company in Southend which provides homes up to a capacity of 223 people, and like FOELH, they also facilitate the right support when needed, such as mental support and training courses for various skills. Another facility I inquired more about, was ‘Brixton Soup kitchen’, with whom I discussed their need for funding and support from the government. Yet, we cannot merely rely on the work of these said organisations as they are all non-profit organisations with limited resources and funding. What can we, you and I, do as individuals to help? Anything ranging from a genuine smile when passing a homeless person to buying them a meal deal or a warm drink will be hugely beneficial, not only for their day but also for their wellbeing. If you want to be helping them in greater depth, there are local homeless shelters and organisations all over the world which are always keen for new volunteers! For example, HARP has created a “Don’t just walk by” leaflet which you can take a look at on their website. Or, perhaps, if you are aware of the location of the nearest charity, you can also support that by donating some clothes which you have either grown out of or you are not wearing anymore. Although these actions may seem small, they have a big impact in the long run. As Anne Frank stated “No one has ever become poor by giving” and the same applies to helping the homeless. A massive thank you goes to Friends Of Essex and London Homeless, HARP services, Brixton Soup Kitchen and all other organisations out there, dedicating their time to helping the world. Do not just read this article and continue with your everyday life: make a difference. Even if it is just a smile. By Isabela Edgington