Oliver Heald MP
Days Four - Five at St Anne’s
My last stint at St Anne’s is the night shift from Thursday 7.30 p.m. until 8.00 a.m. on Friday with Helen and Julie. This involves answering residents’ inquiries and monitoring the front door. It is a more relaxed atmosphere with residents enjoying a few words with us as they collect soap for their washing or ask for the TV guide. The younger residents talk about their hopes for the future – for a flat, to do an NVQ or to set up home with their girlfriend.
I start to think about my conclusions from this week.
It has had a big impact on me to meet those affected by homelessness. Although some of their troubles could be described as self-inflicted, particularly the drink and drug problems, many here have had a bad start in life. I talked to one 19 year old rescued from the streets, whose family was shattered by domestic violence. He had escaped to Sheffield from London when he was 16, but ended up sleeping rough. Many have fractured families and have never experienced the love and support most of us take for granted.
Mental illness, particularly depression, features with many. I talk to a forty year old with scars all over his arms after years of self-harm.
The problem of a lack of basic skills keeps coming up. One young man is having trouble budgeting. He’s never known how to do arithmetic. Trish, who works here, has been teaching him and is thrilled that he got 100% in his latest test. Several residents are trying to improve their reading and writing through Learn Direct. What strikes me is how much progress they can make with help.
In Sheffield city centre, the rough sleepers are moved on several times in the night. So they sleep on the other side of the Ring Road. Yet, here at St Anne’s, social workers, agencies and individuals keep phoning us desperately looking for beds to take them. We have had to say “no” many times. I understand the wish to move rough sleepers out, but more beds are needed, perhaps another night shelter, to do this humanely.
As a society, we need to expand anti-addiction services.
We must support families better.
We must identify at school those behind in literacy and numeracy and give help.
Mental health needs greater priority.
However, my main impression is that those who work in centres like St Anne’s are saving and improving lives every day. They do a fantastic job and they deserve our strongest support.
Oliver Heald MP
9 February 2007Day Three at St Anne’s
It’s icy, 7.30 a.m. and I am being briefed by Tracey, St Anne’s Cold Weather Worker. We are going out to the Day Centre where rough sleepers have breakfast, and then to visit the overnight spots for those sleeping out in Sheffield this February.
We walk to the Archer Project and tearoom in West Bar. As we arrive six men are waiting for opening. They are young and old – some well wrapped up, some not. They are freezing cold. The talk is all about tonight’s weather forecast with seven inches of snow expected. One man is pleased he has a good thick coat. Another wonders where he’ll get enough cardboard during the day to make a shelter good enough for snow.
Then the doors open and they rush to register and move to the tearoom for a meal. By now there are twenty. The tearoom is packed, full of warmth and conversation.
I talk to one resident reading his stars in the paper – he’s a Sagittarius too. We discuss the advice “don’t take advice from others”. A young man comes in with his washing ready to use the laundry. He’s determined to keep tidy.
After an hour talking, we start to leave. “The Big Issue” is being sold to homeless people ready to be sold on to the public. Each person has an agreed pitch in the City Centre. The Archer workers are discussing with Tracey whether emergency places will be made available in bed and breakfast, if the temperature falls to a low level.
We walk out into Sheffield centre and meet many of the people now selling their magazines. One has a well kept brown dog and he’s doing brisk business as customers buy his magazine and pet the dog.
At the Cathedral we meet an elderly man wrapped up with numerous layers of coats, trousers and thick walking socks in his boots. He carries an old bent walking stick and a kit bag. He has just been placed in housing after fifteen years living rough in the City. He is a success story for the project, but so used to sleeping rough that he still dresses for the cold. We talk about his travels many years before to Didcot and Reading, the area where I grew up.
We visit the Salvation Army Hotel to see what places they may have for Tracey. The Manager, Steve, gives us a cuppa and shows us round – a good set up.
Then I return to St Anne’s Hostel for the afternoon. I play a few games of pool in the recreation room with two residents. They’re far too good for me.
Oliver Heald MP
7 February 2007
Day Two at St Anne’s
Today the District Nurse came to give the residents a check-up. The Mental Health Nurse, Raj, also came to check that residents with mental health problems are taking their medication.
Jacky popped in later on. She is the Outreach Team Leader, who visits local residents with mental health problems in the community to make sure they are stable.
Patrick the Needle Exchange worker from Turning Point came to collect needles from the secure bins around the Hostel. I went round with him to collect them. It was good to see Patrick again; I had met him before on my visit to Turning Point.
I also helped Hostel worker Alma to clear a room left by a resident. We wore heavy protective gloves in case of needles. We did not find any – although there was a tourniquet.
Helped in the office sorting the mail, dealing with inquiries. The best thing has been talking to the residents, many of whom have harrowing stories to tell. They are very open with me and willing to share their experiences. As the weather becomes harsher, they are grateful to be out of the cold and in the safety of the Hostel.
Oliver Heald MP
6 February 2007
My First Day at St Anne’s
My induction with the Deputy Manageress, Mandy, left me a bit nervous as she mentioned the possible risks of needle stick injury and violence, but in fact both staff and residents have been very welcoming.
The hostel houses 54 male residents, all of whom have been found homeless – many were rough sleepers, rescued from the streets. This is a direct access hostel, so a homeless person can walk in off the streets.
I started at 8.00 a.m. for a twelve hour shift. I spent some time working in the office where you meet residents, as they ask to borrow the Hoover, balls and cues for the pool table or for help with filling in forms. There were several wanting to improve their English skills by using Learndirect.
The podiatrist came and helped a number of those with feet damaged by too long spent outdoors on the streets. One chap said that he would now be so comfortable he could walk to the village.
Every few hours we check the communal rooms to ensure that damage is mended and that nothing is there which shouldn’t be.
Had lunch with Jean, the Manager.
There was good news that one resident had found a permanent flat. The team feel a great sense of achievement at the progress made. Then I went to clear the flat and check to ensure no drugs paraphernalia was there. Heavy gloves and protective clothing are the drill, but there was no problem.
When the Sheffield Star came to visit, I was talking to residents and then helping in the kitchen. In the TV room, the most popular programme was Location, Location, Location. Obviously the residents retain their sense of humour.
Talking to those who use the service, there is huge gratitude to have been saved from the bitter winter cold so well known to the rough sleeper. They do good work here.
Before I left, I recorded my audio diary for BBC Radio Sheffield. It’s been a long day – back at 7.30 a.m. tomorrow.
Oliver Heald MP
5 February 2007
