2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (Josh Sandiford)
The rain was pelting down as Birmingham’s iconic library prepared to open its doors. For those pitched up outside, it is now a familiar drill. Tents have become a recurring sight outside the building in recent weeks - offering refuge from downpours.
People experiencing homelessness shelter under the library’s wide overhang before packing up and moving on before members of the public arrive at 9am. There were three tents when I went down on Tuesday, October 8. Two men could be seen quietly gathering up their limited belongings.
READ MORE: Life in deprived Birmingham street where shoplifters sell stolen Zara and M&S for £5 People heading to work looked on as a man folded up a towel and got ready for the wet day ahead. The other person was gathering up his stash of biscuits and cranberry juice. One of the men, both of whom asked not to be named, said he was going through a difficult time in his life.
He explained he had been sleeping in various locations around the city centre “for a little while”. “I’ve been here [at the Library] on and off for a couple of weeks,” he said. “I usually leave before they open.
” The men we spoke to said they had slept at the location multiple times (Image: Josh Sandiford / BirminghamLive) The man told of not being eligible for benefits, saying there was little help for people like him. He added he did not know the other people who had pitched up - but described his neighbours as “alright”. “I’m kind of struggling at the moment and I’m trying to work on that,” he said.
“People who have a massive lack of opportunity should get a massive amount of help.” Both of the men we spoke to shared feelings of frustration when it came to Birmingham City Council . They said they felt abandoned, asking for support and opportunities to find jobs and proper housing.
Both of those sleeping outside said they were going through a difficult time - and asked the local authority to provide more support for people like them The other man shared how he had suffered a breakdown and was “going around in circles”. He explained he had slept outside of the library about half a dozen times. “I moved because the window cleaners wrecked my trainers last time but last night I had to come here because of the weather,” he said.
“They move you first thing.” Asked what he wanted the council to do, the man added: “Come and spend a night out here with us. I’m classed as a vulnerable adult.
People shouldn’t be left like this.” The Library of Birmingham on a wet day (Image: Darren Quinton/Birmingham Live) A bystander waiting to enter the library said he had seen rough sleepers there several times. He understood why people walking to work might be shocked by the “eyesore” but he had sympathy with them.
The man even claimed there was an “unwritten rule” that people sleeping outside left before the library opened: “They know they can stay until a certain time and then they’ve got to move on. “That’s why they do. They stay the night in the dry.
Before they get told to leave they pack up and go. They play by the rules.” Birmingham City Council said it was working with partners to help prevent the need for sleeping on the streets and support rough sleepers.
A spokesperson said outreach workers were out seven days a week. "We do not wish for anyone to need to sleep rough on the streets of Birmingham [and] there is an offer of accommodation for all people who are sleeping rough,” they said. “Through much of that accommodation, there are routes to support, including work.
"Our outreach services are aware of the individuals who are sleeping rough in the area. An offer of accommodation is available for them. "Anyone concerned about someone sleeping rough can report this on the Street Link website.
This informs our outreach teams, who respond to every single report." Get breaking news through BirminghamLive WhatsApp , click the link to join..
