We did it - we slept rough so others don't have to.
For 12 long cold hours we had a little taster of homelessness to raise money for West London YMCA. The proceeds go to the YMCA who provide accommodation for people who have nowhere they can call 'HOME' and helps them to break out of the cycle of homelessness.
I learned a lot even from this taster –Firstly how petty you can get over a bit of cardboard when you think someone else has got more than you (you really do need it for insulation and shelter)! I can really see how fights break out because of things like this.
Secondly I was really thirsty but I couldn’t get a drink – you only get a drink or something to eat if people give you something (or you have money).
Thirdly access to toilets (or lack of it) makes life v difficult!
Fourthly you have to listen to everyone else snoring and talking and you can’t do anything to stop them.
Fifthly it’s freezing – even though I had layers on my body, my nose and feet were frozen and my skin feels really sore today and my lips have been really chapped.
Sixth – boredom potential is vast.
Also my cardboard hut collapsed on me in the night and I heard myself scream – I thought I was being attacked.
I got about an hour and a half of fitful sleep – not surprised the street homeless people I’ve met look so washed out and aged before their time.
The biggest thing I learned is that homeless people don’t have the luxury of choice. They can’t just make themselves a cup of tea when they want, or go to the loo when they want, or eat or choose what they want to eat. One night felt like a slog, but night after night would be a total grind.
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