r/Glasgow Tools

I do a lot of volunteering through my job at a well known homeless drop in centre in glasgow.

This centre offers 3 free no questions asked meals each day, showers, computer classes and has couches, pool tables and tvs etc so people can spend time off the streets. During winter they convert their upstairs into a space where people can stay the night too.

Naturally you get to know the more frequent visitors and unfortunately this isnthe point where you realise a lot of people are "opportunistic" if thats the right word.

Ive had people tell me that theyve been offered space in shelters etc for free but dont want to agree to random drugs testing. Ive had them tell me they show up at the drop in centre 3 times a day to get their 3 free meals which then means they can spend their benefits and money they make from begging purely on drink and drugs.

Before anyone starts lecturing me - i understand addiction is an illness and i wont judge them on it. But unfortunately after volunteering for so many years at the centre its made me really think before handing people money. For example if im going into starbucks etc and someone is outside ill say i dont have cash but can i gwt them a hot drink or something to eat - some say thanks and take a tea, others have told me "f*ck off i want cash" - take from that what you will.

Id also like to point out ive met so many lovely people through volunteering - some of them will refuse to leave me alone at a bus stop at night until they know im on it safe, most just want some company and someone to talk to them without judging. But its definitely made me think about how many people who beg in town are actually homeless sadly.