Outrage as council describes unofficial soup kitchens as ‘a bad idea’

A Manchester City Council tweet about unofficial soup kitchens has provoked an intense public reaction. 

The Twitter post was was sent out as part of a thread with the intention of letting the public know about the best and most efficient ways they could help homeless people. 

Unofficial soup kitchens are also a bad idea, because they attract unscrupulous people who prey on our most vulnerable people, often dealing drugs to them or exploiting them.

— Manchester City Council (@ManCityCouncil) November 6, 2018

There was a swift reaction online from charities and members of the public alike.

This is a shameful attitude from our council the out reach groups and individuals DO HELP the ones these groups refuse because of other issues eg ptsd anxiety etc these people may not be comfortable in crowds and then the ones with pets too are not helped apart from by these folk

— Angela Siddall (@angelasiddall28) November 7, 2018

You are so wrong on so many levels. These teams of people who go out of their own way to help give out hot food drinks clothing in all weather because the system has failed them. You should be applauding them not criticising them .

— Reddevil76 (@Topps1765) November 6, 2018

Damon Spillane, who is a part of Homeless Project Manchester, said of the tweet: “We felt deflated by the comments made by the council as we are only trying to help and do something positive.

U should be applauding outreach teams who are helping people where the system has failed them plus if it wasn’t for teams like ours a lot of these vulnerable people wouldn’t know where they can go for help or what times etc

— Homeless Project Manchester (@HPManchester) November 6, 2018

“No matter if you are a registered charity or an unofficial soup kitchen it is possible to come across problems in Manchester. To say it is the [unofficial] soup kitchens that are attracting this type of behaviour is ridiculous,” said Damon.

Homeless Project Manchester is a self-funded, unofficial organisation. It collects donated items such as food, clothes, sleeping bags and toiletries and delivers them to people on the street in the city centre. The project works with other organisations in an effort to reach as many people as possible. 

Members have even paid for hostels out of their own pocket in order to put people up for the night in extreme circumstances. 

A spokesperson for Manchester City Council said: “The tweet sent out by the council referencing soup kitchens should not be viewed in isolation.It was one of 10 tweets sent out in a thread intended to explain the extensive support available for people who are sleeping rough and the best ways for members of the public to help.

“In many cases people who sleep rough have a range of complex needs. They could have debt problems, have been the victim of abuse, have mental health issues or be addicted to drugs or alcohol. At council or partnership-run services there are specialists trained to tackle these issues and begin the process which will hopefully get a person off the streets for good.”

Damon added: “They need to make it easier for people to get emergency accommodation. Last year we had a few people who needed shelter for the night while we had the really bad weather with the snow and cold hitting us.” 

He said many homeless people he comes across describe how they have to jump through hoops to get temporary accommodation. This often leads  to them giving up and sleeping on the streets.

“Why can’t everyone just work together?” he said.

The council added: “It is testament to the kindness of the people of Manchester there are so many willing to help, but without the links to dedicated support services, those offering hot food and drinks will not be able to address the issues which keep people on the streets. 

“This is not just our view, but that of many of the charities and organisations working to help homeless people in Manchester.”