the Pavement
in London and Scotland.
We are committed to publishing objective reportage, tailored to a homeless readership, and to publicising the complete range of services available to homeless people, to reduce hardship amongst our readers and to enable them to guide their future.
We believe that drives to produce homogenous services for homeless people are misguided, and that a range of service types and sizes are the only way to cater successfully for our diverse readership.
We believe that sleeping rough is physically and mentally harmful; however, we do not preach to those who chosen to, nor do we believe that all options to get off the streets are necessarily beneficial to long-term health and happiness.
Your rights
The Rights Guide for Rough Sleepers outlines your rights around arrest, stop and search, answering police questions, move-ons, no-drinking zones, sleeping rough, taking a pee in public and highway obstruction. It was put together by The Pavement, Housing Justice, Liberty and Zacchaeus 2000.
If your benefits have been sanctioned (cut off or reduced) and you feel this is unfair, you can appeal. Print this letter and hand it in at the office where you sign on. If you feel you need more advice about sanctions, contact Zacchaeus 2000 or your nearest Citizen’s Advice Bureau. And let us know richard@thepavement.org.uk at The Pavement!
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If you are a journalist with some free time to research and write stories for the magazine, or you're interested in finding other volunteering opportunities, please contact: .
11 May 2012
Do you have any of these symptoms: a long-term cough; night sweats; recent weight-loss; spitting up blood? It might be worth getting a quick, painless test from the Mobile X-ray Unit to rule out tuberculosis. TB can kill if it’s not treated, so it’s worth a few minutes of your time.Download the timetable...
04 May 2012
Café Art has teamed up with some of London’s top cafés to exhibit artworks created by people without homes throughout the year, with participants from Broadway, SCTM, St Mungo’s, SHP and 240 Project. A list of cafés taking part is on the website and you can follow them on Twitter (@cafeartuk).Where to find the exhibitions...
01 May 2012
Due to funding cuts, The Whitaker Centre will close on 3 May 2012. Liz Emerton emailed us to say: "The Whitaker has a long history of helping and supporting the homeless and vulnerable persons. I have had the pleasure of managing a dedicated team of staff and volunteers for the past three years where I have witnessed the great work they have achieved to help those in need to improve their lives. I will take this with me." We wish them all good luck.11 April 2012
We achieve a lot with little funding, but the call on our services is growing. If you can donate even a small amount, we will be able to raise our circulation so more people can find out where to get the help they need. Thank you.Please donate...
14 February 2012
If you attend or work in a day centre, please consider asking for this information poster about the danger of sleeping in bins to be printed out and put on a noticeboard. Every winter we get reports of avoidable tragedies, so please help us spread the word and save a life...Click to download...
28 September 2011
You’ll have read or heard about people using soup runs being exploited. Here’s some advice from Housing Justice about what to do if you’re approached. Please phone 999 if you think someone is in immediate danger. If you have a mobile phone, you can dial 112 - it works even if your phone’s keypad is locked.What to do if you’re concerned...
19 August 2011
Wow. The Pavement’s Homeless City Guide, which appears in every issue of the magazine, has made it into New York’s Museum of Modern Art.MOMA...
US hotspots surveyed
Staff, 10 May 2012
The word ‘hotspot’, when used by local authorities across the UK, usually preceeds a council action to move on rough sleepers, but in a recent survey of US homeless population it had literal significance.
Using information from the National Alliance to End Homelessness, Atlantic Monthly mapped the numbers in the United States’ large homeless population, specifically asking why some places had significantly higher levels of homelessness?
And their results? They concluded that a key reason for some cities having higher numbers is that they’re warmer. The southern states, with their warmer climates, make life more comfortable, so people on the streets gravitate towards cities such a New Orleans.
More stories from the latest issue...
Homeless soldiers’ charity criticised for BNP links
Staff, 10 May 2012
A charity established by former members of the British National Party to help homeless ex-soldiers has been dogged by criticism because of its links to the controversial political party.
Soldiers off the Streets (SotS) was set up by Hugh William “Bill” Murray, the BNP’s former Welsh secretary, and a handful of other senior BNP members. The charity, established in 2010, aims to provide social work in the form of clothing, food and advice to ex-servicemen.
However, anti-BNP campaigners have questioned the charity’s credentials, challenging its ability to deal with the complex problems soldiers. And homeless veterans who have been approached by SotS have also raised concern.
One rough sleeper reported that he was offered a place to stay in return for helping raise funds for the organisation. Another soldier who worked with the charity described being subjected to an online hate campaign after he expressed disapproval of SotS activities.
The charity denies these claims. Murray is adamant that he has severed all ties with the BNP and denies that ex-soldiers approached by the charity are asked to raise funds for it.
Murray said that, if the charity continues to be questioned, he will close it down. He said: “And then all the lads on the street can suffer and I’ll name everybody that made us close it down. Anybody that stops it will be attacked for it and it won’t be nothing to do with us.”
More stories from the latest issue...
Emmaus man walking to Paris
Staff, 10 May 2012
Francis (right), with fellow Emmaus resident Billy
Francis, a former rough sleeper and resident of Emmaus Gloucestershire, is on a sponsored walk Paris to raise money for the charity that helped him.
On 1 June, Francis, with another Emmaus resident Billy (pictured), will set out on the 276 mile walk to the French capital. It’s a gruelling task, but walking 15 miles a day they should reach their target in 20 days, using Emmaus communities along the way for support. Francis, who ended up homeless after multiple personal tragedies, finally found support and peace with the Gloucester branch of the international charity.
Now he wants to give something back. Speaking on the charity’s work, he said: “I initially found it very hard to integrate socially again, and sometimes still do despite the months I have been here, but working in Emmaus’s Stroud shop has been my salvation. Praise should be heaped on the staff and residents at Emmaus Gloucester for the unstinting support they have given me throughout my stay.”
• Find out more at www.emmaus.org.uk
More stories from the latest issue...
