Episode 3 Swansea: Back on the Streets

There we are. There he is. And this is our home.

Swansea has become a magnet for homeless people.

And now their numbers are on the increase.

For many, the only option is to sleep rough in any place they can.

I'm Chris Rushton and together with Tracy Harris, over a year ago,

we followed the desperate plight of Swansea's homeless.

Now, we have returned to find out if things had changed...

It's just dangerous to be walking the streets.

..to discover how the homeless survive...

When's the last time you seen it like this?

..and how today's recession

and cutbacks are hitting those least able to cope.

I want to sort myself out, but no-one's doing nothing for me!

No-one's doing nothing!

I've been back on Swansea's streets now for 12 weeks.

And it's a very different world from when I was here over a year ago.

It's one of the coldest ever winters.

Most homeless people had found temporary shelter indoors

and only the most hardened rough sleepers remain outside.

15 months ago, I met Andy. He was one of Swansea's long-term homeless.

If you're strong-minded, then you can do it.

If you're not strong-minded,

the only thing you're going to be able to do is end up in a box.

This February, we caught up with him

again at one of the charities that help the homeless.

Nothing much seemed to have changed.

I woke up this morning and I was drenched.

He seen me this morning when he seen me. I was soaking.

I was absolutely freezing.

This is Zac's Place,

set up over 20 years ago by a group of bikers known as God's Squad.

Open two nights a week,

Zac's attracts up to 20 homeless people each night.

Andy and his mate Darren have been given some extra kit.

Sleeping bag.

Be nice and warm tonight, then.

They are planning to sleep rough right under

the nose of the city's authorities.

Down by the beach tonight, by the council, opposite by there.

-Nice and quiet down there, see.

-It will keep you warm.

It's nice and fleecy. OK?

Socks?

They'll be needing anything extra they can get.

It is cold, like. It is cold.

At least now we've got extra blankets.

With my sleeping bag and his sleeping bag

and the two extra thick quilts, we should be all right tonight.

Warmer than we were last night.

Andy grew up never knowing either of his parents.

My mother had me at 18 and basically,

she couldn't cope with me cos she was an alcoholic.

So...she put me in care.

I went in at four weeks old.

His 17 years in care shocked me.

And went a little way to explain what has happened to him since.

It was no walk in the park, like.

I got abused by a woman when I was a baby.

And then I got abused by a bloke, then, when I was eight.

And physical abuse as well.

At the end of the day, I mean,

I didn't want to end up like the way I am at the moment.

It's not by choice, it's just happened.

It's just one of them things.

Beside the beach is Swansea's civic centre.

For rough sleepers, it's a popular spot

because there's a vent blowing out warm air.

And it's away from the violence of the streets.

This is one of the safest places you could sleep in Swansea.

You don't get no disturbances, you don't

get people coming along and laying the boot in and all that stuff.

You certainly don't get people coming along

and urinating all over you.

Which is what happened to Andy the night before.

You have the security guards then,

banging the windows in the morning, about seven, half-past.

Waking you up. "Can you leave, please?"

As long as you make sure you clean your mess up, and off we go.

I later make an extraordinary discovery about Andy.

He met his father for the first time in his teens.

And now, 30 years later, they are both homeless,

living on Swansea's streets.

HE SINGS

Known as Cookie, at 72,

Andy's dad is the oldest person I'd met living on the streets.

Be happy and be friendly.

And love everybody.

Why not?

Happiness in the heart and the soul.

If you die, die happy.

Father and son continue to live separate lives, but they

do have one thing in common.

They both served in the army.

Like others, they never imagined they'd end up with nowhere to go.

-On the streets now.

-You are?

No, serious.

Martin worked in Swansea's pubs and restaurants.

He's been unemployed for a while.

Now, he's fallen out with his girlfriend

and has nowhere else to go.

Relationships break up and stuff and then you just end up...where

you had everything and you just...lose it all.

Everything's just gone.

For the last six weeks, he's been sleeping wherever he can.

Sometimes, he's slept here, under the remains of a derelict building.

I thought I'd try it.

This, it goes down.

I found this. It used to keep me dry.

Now and again. But if it rained, it used to soak inside.

Some of my clothes are still here. Well, I used to just climb down.

It would never...have a full night's kip

because you were getting cramp because it's so cramped in here.

I used to get some candles, just cos it gets so dark.

There's one still...left there.

I was always scared as well in case these boulders ever

came down as well. Could be killed.

I don't know...

..what's happened... what's happened to my life.

But tonight, he has a safer place to stay.

In winter, the churches in Swansea provide emergency shelter

and Martin is one of the lucky ones.

-Hiya.

-Hello.

All right?

-Yeah. Martin Thomas.

-Martin. Nice to meet you.

He's with another of Swansea's homeless.

-Nice to meet you, Paul.

-Nice to meet you.

-Come in.

-Come and have a nice warm cuppa.

-Oh, I'd love one!

Each night, a different church opens its doors.

Over the winter, they'll provide almost 200 nights'

accommodation for Swansea's homeless.

Anybody else for tea with their dinner?

Jesus, thank you that we can spend time together in the warm

and safe tonight, Lord.

And I just pray that you just bless Martin and Paul,

-as they spend time with us. Amen.

-Amen.

The church shelters have been running for the last two winters

and have attracted over 100 volunteers.

-I think anybody would like it, wouldn't they?

-Yeah.

We've got so many volunteers for this, haven't we?

-We're literally fighting to be volunteers.

-Yeah.

It was good to see the homeless getting extra help,

but I realised everyone got something out of it.

They needed the homeless almost as much as the homeless needed them.

OK, good night, guys.

-Good night.

-Sleep well. See you in the morning.

-Good night.

-OK, good night. OK?

-Yeah, thanks.

-Good night. God bless.

The vast majority of homeless escape the winter by sleeping

on friends' sofas, floors and spare rooms.

For the last three years, Paul has been relying on friends,

moving from one to another.

I got a flat of my own at one time.

I lost that flat. Um...

Ended up moving in with a friend of mine then.

A number of friends since then have taken care of me,

who I've stayed with.

More recently, I've found myself... I don't know...

..walking on eggshells a bit in certain places

and realising that I've got to do something about it, like.

And this is why I find myself in the position I'm in at the moment.

But luckily, I've seen the right people now

and things are being done, like, to get me sorted out.

Paul's divorced and has no family to call on.

Once, he worked as a club bouncer. Now, he's registered homeless.

KNOCKS ON DOOR

He's turned to the Swansea Access Point charity for help.

Martin is also looking for somewhere to live

and the two have become friends.

Ian, the support worker, is helping them find a place.

-We've got to know each other.

-Yeah, share a house together? Maybe?

If he's got two places available, it shouldn't be a problem, no?

And like, we get on well now, so it's... OK, no problem.

But it mightn't be quick cos he's told me

there's nothing available till next week.

I'll ring tomorrow. Something might come up.

If that's what you want to do, no problem. No problem, mate.

It could be a long wait.

At least for tonight, they're staying at the church shelter.

But Andy and his dad Cookie have nowhere else to go but the streets.

And for once, they are together. Well, almost.

Even though he's the way he is, a bit mad, he's a handful.

He is a handful.

# Love me like I love you... #

Like his dad, Andy's an alcoholic. It enables him

to blank out the harsh realities of surviving on the street.

But it's a risky business.

You're aware this is an alcohol exclusion area.

Tonight, the police believe they are likely

to commit an alcohol-related crime.

Same old crap, different day.

I'm directing you to leave the area for 12 hours, yeah?

-You need to leave straightaway.

-How many hours?

-12 hours.

-I've got to go?

-Move on.

They all disperse in different directions.

It's beyond a joke. All they can do is just pick on people.

Do you know what I mean?

I can't handle this life no more.

Living on the street can be traumatic and highly stressful.

I wasn't surprised to discover that almost half the homeless

suffer from mental health problems.

It's 7:30am at another of the church shelters where Paul

and Martin spent the night.

When someone snores his head off, it's so loud.

And they wake you up then twenty to seven.

Looking forward to having a place where you can have a lie in,

first thing in the morning.

OK. See you, guys.

-Good time.

-Thanks for the welcome.

They'll be dropped off in the city centre

and for the next 11 hours, they have nowhere to go.

I'd noticed that the constant walking around in the cold

was taking its toll.

Just...lots of pain, lots of pain.

-Struggling a bit.

-Yeah, struggling a bit, yeah.

Back pain and...leg and... Old age, I think,

catching up with me. And my injuries over the years. God!

More than ever, Paul needs the flat they've been promised,

so they check in with the Access Point charity.

Booked in to see Alan tomorrow.

-You'll meet at the property at 12 o'clock. All right?

-Oh, is it?

Yeah, go and have a view and then he'll do all the housing

benefit forms and things, if it's what you want. All right?

What you need to do is view it and then accept it, if that's what

you want, and then you can arrange with him about the keys.

All right? We've got some duvets we've had given and stuff like that,

so at least you'll be warm on your first night.

And then we'll put in for community care.

OK? And that...because you've both been homeless, especially you,

Paul, for a while, I don't think that's going to be a problem.

12 o'clock tomorrow.

-Thank you very much. Thanks a lot.

-You're welcome.

I appreciate it so much.

But the next day, the viewing is cancelled.

The flat is being renovated and isn't finished.

A week later, another viewing is cancelled.

This time, someone lost the key.

He must have a spare key!

Can't just have the one key!

I don't believe this!

-Paul, all right, mate?

-Yeah.

I realised Paul was far more desperate to get settled

than I'd previously thought.

Some of the other homeless I've met lead such chaotic lives,

they can't get organised enough to seek help.

Fed up with being called a tramp, down and out, bum.

And still out in the cold is 32-year-old Scott.

He's meeting Andy's dad, Cookie,

who has already bagged the best spot by the warm air vent.

Sleeping in the snow! Sleeping in the rain.

Sleeping with deranged bloody Cookie.

# I am the kind of man

-# Who is always on the ro-o-ad! #

-Oh, my God.

Get ready for a lot of rambling and a lot of rubbish.

Hey, Cook!

Give me my blanket.

Oh, come on, man. Someone help me out. Please.

It's the only blanket I could get.

Pink(!)

They're going to think I'm queer!

It's not my fault.

My blanket's a bit, erm...

Sorry! It's a bit, erm.... you know what I mean.

It's not my fault.

Oh, it's not funny.

Ah, God. I can't sleep in this.

Scott, like Cookie, has been rejected by his family.

He's been on a downward spiral, homeless for nearly seven years

and has nowhere left to go.

I don't want to live next to Cookie.

But what else have I got?

So, the only other choice I got is get arrested and go to jail.

I wouldn't mind a lovely house, missus, job.

I'd be happy.

I'd give this up straight away. And get my son back.

I'd give this up straight away for a home.

Scott's desperate situation reminded me of another homeless guy

we'd filmed 15 months ago.

Stevie's family had also given up on him

because of his addiction to drugs and alcohol.

I miss my relatives. My father's dead.

And my mother doesn't talk to me, so Christmas is, erm...

..just a drunken blur, basically.

Uh, basically.

I'll never forget being with him

when he faced the prospect of Christmas sleeping on the streets.

I really think about doing some crime just go back to jail, like.

I mean, because at least I got a bed then.

-15 months ago his life had hit rock bottom.

-Stevie.

-Hi, Stevie!

And this is him now.

For all that time, he's been away on rehab and now he's clean.

Hey, look at you!

# Love can begin with open arms... #

He's been in Nottingham on a residential rehab programme.

Surprisingly, it was established by an American evangelical church.

Now he's returned to tell his story.

It'll be all right.

I am a bit nervous, as always, but it should be all right.

Hello.

THEY CHEER

My name is Stephen and I'm from Morriston, I am.

And if you knew me, going back last year, I am changed.

I got teeth, for a start!

THEY CHEER EXCITEDLY

My life has been, phew, pretty erratic up to now,

I can tell you that. All of a sudden I fell into drugs

and then I started to use heroin.

Jail, back out, jail, back out, and that was my lot.

I didn't know I could change.

I didn't even want to change at that moment in time.

So, it was when I came out of jail

and after ripping my boiler out of my flat to get money for things

and they wouldn't give me another flat so I ended up homeless.

And that's when I decided to give my life to Jesus.

And he is the only the only true friend I've got, like.

-AUDIENCE:

-That's right!

-And that is the truth.

Amen. Amen.

Stevie is lucky.

Out of all those who attempt rehab for alcohol or drugs,

less than 20% succeed.

I nearly left the programme every single day.

First, they say you can't smoke,

you've got to go to chapel twice a day,

you've got to sit in a room for three hours a day and study the Bible.

It was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life.

It is still the hardest thing. Yeah?

I discovered that the churches were the only people offering

a fast-track for the homeless to get off the street

as well as deal with their addictions.

It was two weeks since I last saw Andy.

He'd been in court and fined for breaching an order banning him

from the city centre.

Now I've got to get myself back on my feet, like.

Somehow.

And this is why I'm going to Access Point again on Monday, two o'clock.

And they're going to let me know then when I'm going to rehab.

So, they're going to sort it out for me tonight, like.

And take it from there.

Which hopefully they will.

Many talk about quitting the booze,

but few can really face what it takes.

But then, Andy gets the offer he's been waiting for.

-Hello.

-Hiya, Andy? Come on in.

-How are you?

He's been accepted onto a 12-month rehab programme.

-The first week will be hard, serious now, it will be hard.

-I know.

I know that, man.

I mean, on the pop again, hitting it a bit harder.

-But I have cut down.

-Oh, yeah.

-I have cut down.

Yeah, because you used to come in here,

-we didn't know what you were talking about.

-I know, I know.

Good effort, mate. Good effort.

-If I don't do this...

-You're going to be dead.

-I'll be dead.

-Basically, yeah? That's the truth.

-And I'll die on the street.

-Course you will. And like I said, I think you'll do well.

-Yes.

-I will do well.

-I'm not just saying that, I think you'll do well.

-I will do it and all.

-I know you will.

For the next year,

he'll have the support of a church-run rehab centre.

Good luck, you can do that. We'll be in contact.

-Take care.

-I'll write. I will, all right? Take care. Thank you.

-Bye.

They saved my life. They have.

Martin and Paul finally get the chance to view the flat.

For two-and-a-half weeks, they have gone from one night shelter

to another and have also become demoralised with having nowhere

to go in the daytime.

They meet the agent and if they like what they see,

they can move in immediately.

Hang on, hang on. Accept this flat, quick now.

I don't like the colours!

Both your names need to be on the tenancy,

so we need to put both of them on.

-And then you can keep one copy and I will keep the other.

-OK.

Paul's pride has been dented by having to ask for help,

but now, all that's behind him.

This is just ideal, this is.

This has so much potential and it really is something else.

It's a lovely flat.

But four days later, after Paul and Martin moved in,

I had a worrying message from Paul.

I went to the flat and Martin had gone.

Paul was in shock and in no fit state to talk.

He had been here, all alone, for the last three days.

There was a smashed door and Paul had a badly cut hand,

so we took him to A&E.

With Martin gone, I realise just how much Paul had depended on him.

One minute...

..everything seemed to be going all right.

Sharing a flat.

Found a friend.

Now isolated. Know what I mean?

I don't know.

Later I discovered more as to why Paul was in such a state of shock.

Out of the blue, Martin was arrested, taken into custody

and charged with an assault on his ex-girlfriend.

He got a 23-week jail sentence.

At the Access Point, Paul's support worker has organised some

extra help from another housing charity, the Cyrenians.

Big flat, nice and empty.

-Find it tough going up there by yourself?

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

I was speaking to Cyrenians this morning,

they're going to do a home visit with you at 9:45 on Monday. OK?

The other thing is, they are going to send a letter out to confirm that

-and it's a lady called Helen.

-Right.

So, it'll be Helen and another member of Cyrenians

-to do an assessment for you. See what your housing needs are.

-Right.

For the next six weeks, Paul will get specialist support.

It's just a matter of hours now before Andy finally

leaves for rehab.

Yes, I am scared.

But at the end of the day, I've got to do it.

This is his last opportunity to get off the streets.

# I am off to rehab! #

Take care, boys.

-I'm going to rehab tonight, Rotherham.

-Well done.

-Excellent.

-I am off.

-Well done.

-Six o'clock, man, all right?

-Good boy!

-All the best.

-See my old man, look after him. Thank you, man.

It's the City Temple who are taking him

the 200 miles to a rehab unit in Rotherham.

And it was their outreach worker who found him the place.

-HOARSELY:

-One thing...

-I've lost my voice.

-I know. It's great!

Thanks(!) I love you(!)

This is the first day of the rest of your life, mate. Do you know?

The thing is, I'm a bit scared, I am.

Because I don't know what to expect when I get there.

'But at least at the unit he's going to, he is allowed to smoke.'

What do you think it'll be like?

Imagine, in a couple of weeks time, what might be your typical day?

-Any ideas?

-Getting up in the morning and feeling fresh.

And...

no alcohol, just having a fag.

And just doing what I do best. Being me.

The minibus is heading for a conference

and they are going to drop Andy off along the way.

All right? Good to see you.

I really can't wait, man.

Honestly. I cannot wait.

'For the first time in years, he'll have a room of his own.'

-Thank you very much.

-Good luck, Andy.

-Take care, man.

Five weeks later,

he was baptised and he's made a start at coming off the booze.

-Hello.

-Everything all right?

-Yeah, not too bad.

And Paul's tenancy support worker, Helen,

is helping him find a place of his own.

There was nobody moving upstairs.

It was a relief finally to see him getting his life back on track.

Have you popped down the rest of your appointments now

-we have got coming up, Paul?

-My head is full of numbers.

Right, double-check now then,

so we are both on the same page with our appointments.

-Dentist...

-23rd or 24th. Erm...

Dentist, 22nd.

I got my appointment dates that I'm going to have to paint over quickly

-if I ever leave.

-What about the doctors? When is the GP appointment?

-That's Monday. Three o'clock, Monday afternoon.

-There we are!

There we are!

You just haven't done the one for today then, two o'clock.

-Two o'clock. Thought it was four o'clock!

-No.

-You been like my wife, man! You've

-engaged well, you know!

-Like a wife!

I'd realised that for anyone who had been long-term homeless,

adapting to normal life again could be yet another struggle.

Especially so, for those who have spent years living on the streets.

We're not tramps. Just bums.

-I am a tramp. And a bum.

-Exactly!

We had come to the end of our second three-month stint

filming with Swansea's homeless.

Compared to when we were here 15 months ago, there were

now 75% more people seeking help from the housing charities.

All you need to find is a property that will accept you and it's yours.

-All right?

-Nice one, yeah.

And now, changes to housing benefits are putting even more people

in jeopardy of becoming homeless.

But it was the struggle of homeless people

surviving in one of the harshest winters that affected us the most.

This time, walking away from their desperate plight

was even harder to bear.

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