It’s middle of February now and just when we thought winter was almost over we got hit with the coldest week of winter so far! It dropped to -10 in some parts of the UK as ice, snow and rain spread across the country.
I personally complained about it all week. I moaned about how freezing it was as I left my warm flat in my winter coat, scarf, hat and gloves to walk to the train station for work. I got into work and made myself a warm tea and continued to complain about the weather whilst sat inside my heated office. It wasn’t until Tuesday when I popped out for a coffee and my wonderful friend suggested buying the homeless man outside a drink and a warm croissant that it really got me thinking.
How undeniably ignorant I had been all week complaining about the weather when it wasn’t really effecting me at all. And yet whilst the coldest week of winter continues to hit us there is still thousands of homeless people that have little choice but to sit outside in the wet and cold, hoping to survive another night in the freezing cold.
I know there are measures in place to help homeless people but numbers are too high. No matter what choices people have made in life, whether it be faults of their own or due to circumstances beyond their control – everyone deserves a hot drink when it is icy/snowy/rainy/wintery cold/ not sunny outside.
Whist the cold weather insists on creeping in on us why don’t we all commit to helping the homeless more, especially at this time, as I think we all probably take first world privileges for granted. Many of us probably don’t notice homeless people as they have become a common feature on our way to work, that we don’t actually stop to consider about what they must be going through, how they must be feeling and how they are surviving.
Next time you see a homeless person just stop and think for a moment.
I am going to make a conscious effort to help during the upcoming cold weeks to stop and buy a homeless person a hot drink or a hot meal. Something to provide them warmth when all they have surrounding them is cold.
It doesn’t have to be everyone you see. It can be one person a day, one a week or even one person a month but rather than just walking past let’s try and help them! Instead of buying yourself a packet of crisps to go with your lunch you could buy a hot snack for someone in greater need.
If money is an issue and you don’t even treat yourself to lunch or a coffee then maybe just stop and ask if they are ok.
I know that if I was homeless, sitting out in the cold with a soggy blanket as protection I would appreciate a nice cup of tea from a stranger. Homeless people are people!
I’d love to hear how you help.
Over and out,
G.
(Here’s a picture of how cold England feels right now. -7 in picturesque Lapland)
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