Transcript - Saving London’s Forgotten Patients

Jon Glackin, Streets Kitchen 00:02-00:06 - 20 seconds, 20 seconds, 20 seconds,

Jon Glackin, Streets Kitchen 00:07-00:24 We’re noticing a lot more people being made homeless as a result of this crisis be it through illegal evictions be it through people on low wages who have been kicked out of hostels, backpackers hostels, Bed and Breakfasts, sofa surfers have been kicked out. We’re seeing more and more people on the streets.

Jon Glackin, Streets Kitchen 00:27-00:42 I mean it’s just a dire situation, there is a lot of confusion on the streets, there is a lot of fear on the streets. We do know homeless people who have passed away due to COVID and these are the people we are trying to protect, trying to get them indoors, trying to get them some safety, just a safety net, try and keep them alive.

Jon Glackin, Streets Kitchen 00:50-00:51 I’d get the day off I’m telling you!

Jessica Turtle, Museum of Homelessness 00:52-00:57 Some people want to be done twice because they want the day off- 36.2.

Jessica Turtle, Museum of Homelessness 01:00-01:17 So our job is two things, it’s to provide supplies but it is also to provide a relationship to people who have newly been brought inside so they are more likely to stay in and feel comfortable in their new environment and that support really does mean something to some of the people we are doing daily drops to.

Jon Glackin, Streets Kitchen 01:18-01:29 Look at today its freezing, yesterday wasn’t so bad to be lying on the streets, it was nice and warm, everybody was lying out in the parks. There was nobody lying in the parks today. So our boys have nowhere to go, it’s freezing, So it’s going to be a bit of a torture today.

Volunteer

01:31-01:50 Even near me, most of them are new. Everyone I am speaking to, I’m like, I haven't seen you before. And they are chatting and coming even new to the streets. Generally, everyone in my area, its always been regulars. And now, I would say there are more new people than not actually.

Jon Glackin, Streets Kitchen 01:51-02:16 You see anyone get a wee bit too close to each other just call it out, just always be over cautious, we have to be. We’re washing hands, you know, every time I have a cigarette I have to wash my hands. You will get temperature checks and all that stuff. You just have to do this stuff. Remember we are dealing with very vulnerable people too, homeless people do die younger than homeless people so if we pass on anything, and vice versa. Just over cautious, and then we are good.

Jon Glackin, Streets Kitchen 02:17-03:03 The system is not set up for a crisis like this, are we set up for a crisis like this, not really. But we can respond, in each area, small responses. From here, we’re successfully making sure that everybody is being accommodated in the hotels, is getting fed, is getting simple supplies. So we are supplying that need, In Lambeth we are doing the same, in Camden we are doing the same. I mean, again it’s small groups of people coming together. We have 5 people here, Everyday we have 5 different people here, and that’s the same all across London. Small community groups coming together, with no egos or empire building, just there to get the job done simply.

Jon Glackin, Streets Kitchen 03:04-03:32 It’s just a place where people can go and hang out and socialize. Which is very hard for us, because we build a social aspect to what we try to do. But it is antisocial now, we are trying to feed go feed go, which is horrible. But it’s just the way it is. But we can work it, there shouldn't be people coming here needing food, they should be going to their hotels, and having food made for them I would hope. There should be easier ways than us having to do it.

_{Jon Glackin, Streets Kitchen} 03:34-04:43 We certainly the one good thing that will come out of this is that nothing will ever be the same again. It has been proven and shown that what existed before has been a abject failure, sadly. We need to review and look at the whole system of how we do and support each other. We need to look at the role of grassroots groups who are out there every night of the week who are doing this voluntarily who are doing this through passion. Who are out supporting the homeless community. We need a better link up to, dare I say it the state and the ground. But we will always operate in the communities as there is where I think the answer lies. People coming together. We have seen that historically and we have seen it currently. We need to look towards helping each other, and have no agenda to try and make it a profit driven. Whenever you are looking at a homeless project, trying to work out the pounds, shillings and pence, this is a crisis, we have to act urgently. Hopefully there will be good that comes out of this, there will be change out of this. And hopefully we can end homelessness, it’s a big ask but it can be done.