RECENT events, including the war in Ukraine and rising inflation, have led to the price of essential items rising rapidly.
Energy prices, in particular, have soared, which has led to what has been termed a ‘cost-of-living crisis’, with many individuals struggling to afford basic necessities like food and heating.
The rise in costs has impacted everyone, and for those on low incomes, it has raised the threat of experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness.
Homelessness is a serious issue that impacts everyone in our community, so supporting those dealing with it is everyone’s responsibility.
For Aberdeen residents looking to support those experiencing homelessness during this crisis, we’ve put together some practical tips to help you get started.
Inform Yourself About The Issue
If you want to help the homeless, then you need to make sure that you understand the issues that can lead to someone experiencing homelessness. Homelessness doesn’t occur because of laziness or disinterest but rather a lack of support from society, which is a long-standing issue for all of us. On an individual level, many who experience homelessness have to cope with traumatic or challenging events such as a job loss, the end of a relationship or the death of a relative. Every situation is different, so you should check out resources to learn more about how to approach those experiencing homelessness. A leading UK homeless charity, St Martin-in-the-Fields Charity, offers this guide on the various ways to help the homeless, so you can find out more about the issue and what you can do.
Donate Money And Resources To Local Charities
A simple way to help local people in your area to deal with housing insecurity and homelessness is to donate money or resources like food and clothes to local charities. There are many food banks and other charities in the Aberdeen area that donate goods and support to those experiencing homelessness, but these charities are dealing with rising demand and other challenges. Helping them by providing money or resources can be a great way to do your bit for your local community. Additionally, if you have the time, then you could consider offering your support by volunteering for these organisations. Many homeless charities need volunteers with specific skills, such as a driving licence or experience with cooking, so if you have these skills, then these could be a great way to give back to the community.
Sign Petitions To Make Meaningful Change
Homelessness is a fault of society, not individuals, and driving change and improving conditions for those experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity is crucial. One simple way to drive change is to sign petitions and express your feelings about how local councils and other governing bodies can affect change. For example, there has recently been a push to encourage Aberdeen Council to prioritise social housing. Campaigns like this and others can facilitate meaningful progress. So if you want to get involved, start signing petitions you agree with or launching your own.
The cost-of-living crisis is affecting all of us, but some are in a worse situation than others. If you are in a position to help the homeless, then these tips should help you to embody the spirit of togetherness that sets Aberdeen apart from other cities and do good for those who are experiencing homelessness during this trying time.
