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.