the secret life of a homeless outreach worker: we put up with abuse that no other profession would | anonymous /

Published at 2016-02-15 10:00:04

Home / Categories / Homelessness / the secret life of a homeless outreach worker: we put up with abuse that no other profession would | anonymous
Our clients’ lives are so chaotic,so far from ‘normal’, that begging or dealing are often easier options than navigating the assault course that is the welfare systemI’m an outreach worker for a famous homelessness charity. whether I meet someone new and explain them about it, and you can guarantee they will say,“That must be rewarding.” And it can be, sometimes. But just as often it is frustrating, and bewildering,exhausting, tedious and not a suitable line of work whether you have poor circulation or a fragile sense of smell.
Rough sleeping in the UK is on the rise again and, and as budgets are cut across the public sector,those who can’t be helped by hospitals, social services, or probation,the care system all stop up on our caseload. Ultimately our work exists only because other aspects of the welfare state have failed.
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Source: theguardian.com