'People think you're society's rubbish': the stigma of the homeless

Jane Anderson, our firm's Senior Partner, welcomed Dr Jan Sheldon, Chief Executive of Norwich's St Martin's Housing Trust.

'The stigma of being homeless is that everybody thinks you're an alcoholic or you've just come out of prison. You're basically society's rubbish. That's what people think. They're wrong.'

That was the message which Dr Sheldon, Chief Executive of St Martin's Housing Trust and a former Sheriff of Norwich, gave when she visited our firm at Castle Chambers for a brief presentation on the work of the charity. She retires from the organisation in May, after eight years.

Each year, at Christmas, our firm donates food items and makes a contribution to St Martin's Housing Trust after fundraising throughout November and December.

Jane Anderson said:  "A lot of us here have been inspired by raising money and collecting food for St Martin's, helping in our small way at Christmas time, which we have all enjoyed doing."

Dr Sheldon said the numbers of people sleeping rough had increased across the East of England (to 437 from 412) however, in Norwich, the numbers had gone down by 25% last November compared to November 2024 from 12 to nine people.

"Nine people is very low - however it's still nine people too many as sleeping rough is a horrible thing."

She blamed the cost of living crisis, the reduction in social housing, benefit reforms and an inadequate welfare safety net.

St Martin's Housing Trust needs funds to continue the work it does and spearhead new projects such as the building of 12 new, one bedroom flats in the city to house more people. 

Dr Sheldon gave some helpful advice to those asked for money by people on the streets. She said: "In Norwich, and I can't talk about other areas, please don't give food or drink or money.

"It's because there are lots of food and drinks services around Norwich. We would rather encourage people there because not only will they get the food and drink but they'll also get the specialist support and it's always the support that makes the difference.

"People, through real kindness are actually making our jobs more difficult and keeping them (those without homes) on the streets longer."

Dr Sheldon suggested giving out one of the St Martin's Housing Trust small folded leaflets 'Pathways Norwich' which details all the places in the city where people can get help including overnight accommodation. Pathways is a partnership project supporting people experiencing homelessness.

You can find out more, and obtain the leaflets, at www.pathwaysnorwich.org.uk or https://stmartinshousing.org.uk

To contact our firm, please call us on 01603 625231.