Forum Topic

Concern Over Increasing Numbers Using Ealing Food Bank

I feel very sad on reading this article. We are one of the most affluent countries in the world and we in one of the most affluent cities in the world and we need foodbanks? This should be one of the main things that we should quiz our politicians about: how can this be?

John Alan Peters ● 3190d20 Comments

True Arthur, God forbid that Dennis has to suffer a breakdown of any sort. Everyone is vulnerable at points in their lives and sometimes are tipped over the edge. this is the more obvious side of homelessness that is seen. But homelessness is a massive problem and not a lifestyle choice.

Peter Chadburn ● 3179d

Peter,I am coming in again because I had already tightened the definition of choice for Dennis before. Alcoholics have very little choice. That is the definition of addiction. That's why addicts drink through their marriages, their jobs, their homes, the law and their housing needs. There is little choice because they are addicts. Some jump off the downward spiral before they reach the bottom. For others there are mental health issues. I didn't choose or not chose to have a problem with my appendix. It wasn't a lifestyle choice. It happened . I am certain the same is true of mental health issues. There is no choice and therefore there is no lifestyle choice.

Arthur Breens ● 3179d

Ealing Council may do so but i am sure that there is a limit. But getting hold of the right people is something that people find hard to do. The experience of people i know with homeless issues is mainly in Hounslow. As for 3 girls. I saw the first episode and am waiting to catch up with the others. The Police and Social Workers described the abuse of these under-age girls as a lifestyle choice by the girls. That is why i found your comment so silly. Homelessness is not a lifestyle choice. to claim that shows real ignorance. there may be a choice to stay on the streets for some people. but not all.

Peter Chadburn ● 3179d

What part of Ealing Council paying deposits do you not understand ! Three Girls ? Let me explain again Thicko , if you are homeless Ealing Council will pay your deposit ! If you don't want to attend 3 appts or are incapable due to drink/drugs then that is a lifestyle choice ! What part of that do you not understand????

Dennis Brogan ● 3181d

Lifestyle Choice is a ridiculous claim. Some people just end up on the streets because life happens. They could have been evicted late at night with no money by a bad landlord. Many people on the streets are former service personnel who have struggled in civilian life. Many circumstances. So if you can get an appointment what do you do in the meantime. You are homeless. In fact I know someone with a child who was told by Hounslow council that they would put her child in care the other side of London but because she was working they would not help her find anywhere. They stayed at Heathrow Terminal 3 with occasional nights in a cheap hotel after payday until they found something a bit more regular, Supposedly help is available but in reality many people find obstacles put in the way. If you watched the 3 girls story on BBC about abuse you will see social workers describing these children as having made a lifestyle choice!! You are an idiot Dennis and also a Bigot!

Peter Chadburn ● 3181d

Dennis,Choice implies options. I drink by choice but I don't drink to excess so I am left with options. Alcoholics drink and drink until they have no options. They or their relationship with alcohol means they have no choice. Many homeless are not addicts. Just chance of circumstances leaves them so. My lasting impression from a talk by the lady in charge of Ealing Churches Night Shelter who when asked if they had met any problems. She replied when they first started it was difficult to tell the clients from the helpers. She had to find a way of sorting out who was who.That left a lasting memory

Arthur Breens ● 3182d

They may not be the most desirable properties , but is a roof over your head. Unfortunately you have the really arduous task of attending 3 interviews at specific times so hard for a drunk or crackhead ! Homelessness is a lifestyle choice , get real !

Dennis Brogan ● 3182d

Dennis,So you think there is no such things as homeless people?? Yes there are some who are street people who do have problems with alcohol, but there are others including people who are working who are also homeless. The winter night shelter included people who are working but don't have enough money for deposits for flats. It is a tough battle for many. A shortage of accommodation and the costs related to that shortage make it incredibly difficult for some. I know of people who have lost deposits because of shady agencies and have ended up on the streets for a short time. It is not lefty propaganda but real life.

Peter Chadburn ● 3182d

Unfortunately my previous post was not formatted as being in response to, 'As a Christian i will definitely not Vote for Strong and Stable Foxhunting!!'.

Graham Weeks ● 3183d

I will.

Graham Weeks ● 3183d

Every day the Catholic Church feed numerous healthy meals to needy/homeless people . They queue up with special brews / vodka or crack wraps ! These are not single mothers or nurses , just people who prefer to spend their money on drink and drugs not food . Get real , visit it any day of the week and see Real Truth not liberal lefty propaganda.

Dennis Brogan ● 3183d

Clearly prayers aren't helping her much at the moment. how about thinking and doing the right thing from time to time.

Penelope Crocker ● 3184d

Peter,We should all be proud of the Christian Church and their support of the poor in this area.  While we may be proud we are also embarrassed. This shouldn't be something that happens in the UK in 2017. As an aside the Temples in Southall deliver around a 1000 covers a day to those in need.

Arthur Breens ● 3184d

Peter, I thought everyone knew the PM's father was a C of E vicar? She has reported that she often prays for guidance.

Libby Kemp ● 3188d

Peter, I thought everyone knew the PM's father was a C of E vicar? She has reported that she often prays for guidance.

Libby Kemp ● 3188d

It is always my thought that Politicians who make big claims about their faith are usually morally bankrupt. If you see a politician doing good work who happens to be a christian then you know that their faith is important to them. When i listen to the message of strong and stable i do not feel any morality behind it. The food bank and other good services are run by several different churches from Catholic to Baptist. I assume that Mrs May is COE. The churches do campaign and do work for a better society but some people who are very important decide that it is a message they don't want to hear. As a Christian i will definitely not Vote for Strong and Stable Foxhunting!!

Peter Chadburn ● 3188d

Perhaps the admirable church group who runs the food bank should mention this to the "Vicar's Daughter"? Although not sure it would be an approved question.

Libby Kemp ● 3188d

Yup!

Sarah Vickers ● 3189d

Well, this government don't give a damn so get used to more of it.

Penelope Crocker ● 3189d

This very sad. The people whose income is at the lower end see negligible increases and often see decreases in income whilst costs keep moving up. A product of austerity and unless there is investment in pay at the lower end we will see more of this. We are living in an increasingly brutal country when it comes to benefits where it appears the honest and well meaning suffer whilst the scammers carry on regardless. The food banks, winter night shelters, soup kitchen and the debt counselling service from CAP are all supported by local churches and are a constant reminder to those of us more fortunate that there are people falling off the edge every day and that strong and stable government will definitely not help anyone.

Peter Chadburn ● 3189d