Homeless supporters struggle to find home

“Hi, Hooded-one. My thinking was simply that if we're only talking about helping 20 needy people and the news article's says they already have two people for every one of them ready, willing, and able to do that, they might also be quickly helped with food by the existing services being offered by The Salvation Army.

I have no idea how the Soup Bowl being in Crescent Road has affected those who live in the area. If the Soup Bowl was just serve food during daytime and early evenings, I can't figure out whythat would be a problem for any resident.

There's got to be a lot more to this story than has been written in this article.”

“Hi GenBourne - I'm a bit confused by the logic in your post. If I understand correctly you're saying that the Soup Bowl Service doesn't matter because the Salvation Army can 'take up the slack'?

My guess would be that the Salvation Army either can't meet the needs of the people using the Soup Bowl or are offering a different kind of support. Had there been a 'duplication' of provision, as you suggest, then that, I'm sure, would have been the justification used by TWBC for the closure.

A quick look online tells me that the Soup Bowl was set up almost 25 years ago, so if there were genuinely no need for the service then I guess it would have died out naturally rather than through enforced closure and an eviction notice (?).

In essence, what seems to have happened is that the small number of residents living in this non-residential area have made complaints about the service. By implication, that suggests that either the social conscience of those residents has diminished, meaning they are less tolerant than residents of the previous 25 years and/or that their sense of entitlement has increased. Alternatively, it could be that they have always complained but TWBC now give their complaints - for whatever reason - greater credence, which is something that should be of concern to EVERY TW resident if different rules now apply depending on income and status.

Leaving aside the alternative possibility of a wider agenda for the site/area and potential redevelopment plans the only other explanation that comes to mind is that the service is now oversubscribed and this has led to increased problems leading to a rise in complaints. Of course, if this is the case then the very LAST thing TWBC should do is close the place down without making sure that an alternative and more suitable venue is made available, because the service is, by definition, needed now more than ever, regardless of any similar services the Sally Army or any other organisation might/might not be offering...”

“I'm curious to know if The Salvation Army doesn't provide food for needy people in TW, as they do in most places. Since the article says the Soup Bowl only services 20 people, there would seem to be adequate provision for them, too.”

“Your comments, thehoodedclaw are very well said.”

“Crescent road is not a residential area. How many residents complained? Yes, the few residential properties there are expensive ones but should that make any difference? If a similar number of complaints had been made in a fully residential but less exclusive area would those complaints have led to an eviction? I've noticed a number of shops around the area closing... is there perhaps a developer hankering after the site and is this a contributory (but unacknowledged) factor?

Really, TWBC, if you are that concerned about meeting the needs of the small number of wealthy and privileged 'residents' living on a road primarily given to commercial properties, a police station, the town hall and a theatre then shouldn't you also be looking as a priority to address the needs of the community's most impoverished, underprivileged and disenfranchised?

Here's hoping one of those possible alternatives comes good and that TWBC will step up to make sure that it's equipped and 'fit for purpose', and that, if necessary, a further extension is granted to ensure that those depending on the service aren't further marginalised and disenfranchised. In a town with the kind of wealth behind it that TW has it really shouldn't be an issue. Should it?”