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Homeless lady in Horniman Triangle
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Novels


Posts: 83
Joined: Apr 2008
Post: #1
03-09-2010 11:42 AM

In the last few days I've noticed that a lady has been sleeping rought in the Horniman Triangle, and on Wednesday afternoon she was sleeping in the Horniman Gardens. Her hair is all matted, here clothes awfully worn out and all she's got is a shopping bag and an umbrella.
I feel very, very sorry for her but I don't know how to help (I'm penniless myself and hooked on to a small part time job). Any charities / support you could suggest?
Thank you so much!

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Londondrz


Posts: 1,538
Joined: Apr 2006
Post: #2
03-09-2010 12:06 PM

She gets a coffee from The Forest every morning. Only seen her around in the last month or so.

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Mickey


Posts: 36
Joined: Mar 2010
Post: #3
03-09-2010 01:44 PM

I have noticed her too, quite sad really she dosnt look very well at all. I do wonder what her story is.....
I am not really sure how one would go about getting help, Council?

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roz


Posts: 1,796
Joined: Mar 2005
Post: #4
05-09-2010 02:34 PM

Are you able to give an outline description? We noticed someone standing on the corner lof the Triangle last week when driving past late one evening, one doing something like, er, soliciting, at least thats what we concluded from her behaviour.

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EMU


Posts: 1
Joined: Sep 2010
Post: #5
05-09-2010 11:22 PM

Her name is Agatha and she has been around the area for the past 4-5 months. She comes to FH station early in the morning and sometimes we see her every day, some weeks we don't see her at all. We asked her a few times where she stays and she always says she stays at her friend's house. We also offered her clean clothes but she refused to take them. She is being well fed by local cafes/fish&chips shop but with winter coming, not having a place to stay and keep warm will be tough for her. She is a very gentle and dignified lady and I suspect she might not like to take advantage of all the benefits of homeless people institutions. Or maybe she uses them in the winter and that is why we first started to see her in the spring. As she says herself, she likes to stay close to nature, what is also her explanation of straws in her hair. I will try to find out what her plan for long cold winter months is.

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Novels


Posts: 83
Joined: Apr 2008
Post: #6
06-09-2010 09:11 AM

Following advice, I found a phone number on the council website, but there was no answer.
So i've filled in an online referral for a homeless person, but I'm not sure that anybody will read it...

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petersutton01


Posts: 21
Joined: May 2008
Post: #7
11-09-2010 12:37 AM

Not sure of this is the same lady but there is a lady sleeping rough on the steps of Louise House most nights at the moment. She was asking people for money most of the afternoon today on Dartmouth Road outside the entrance to Louise House.

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roz


Posts: 1,796
Joined: Mar 2005
Post: #8
11-09-2010 09:08 AM

I have met Agatha and its clear that she isn't the woman exhibiting soliciting behaviour on the lower reaches of Sydenham Hill so apologies for that. Has anyone asked her if she would like help? I might try and get chatting a bit more if I come across her next. She actually doesn't seem like she would beg for money so not sure if that is her.My partner saw her sleeping on a bench on Friday near the Triangle. It can be quite rough for rough sleepers in central London so perhaps she has come out her for a bit of a change however it is still very risky for her.

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crazyhorse


Posts: 5
Joined: Aug 2010
Post: #9
15-09-2010 02:28 PM

Hi the best way to get this woman linked into services is to call Thames Reach's street rescue service. They provide an outreach service that covers areas that dont have a dedicted outreach team (a team that goes out in the morning and at night to get in touch with people sleeping rough and provide them with housing and other support services they might need). I dont have their number and the best person to call them is someone who can give more details.

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Novels


Posts: 83
Joined: Apr 2008
Post: #10
15-09-2010 08:47 PM

Thanks Crazyhorse.
I have called Reach in Lewisham. I spoke to a nice person who got all the details down; whether they'll then be able to do anything about it, it's another story.
I haven't seen Agatha in the last few days.

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jd2511


Posts: 5
Joined: Sep 2010
Post: #11
16-09-2010 10:24 AM

London Street Rescue (Thamesreach) have received a referral for this lady and have looked for her a few times, so far without success. Anyone wishing to provide more info should call 0870 383 3333. Referrals for rough sleepers may also be made on the website at http://www.streetrescue.org Just follow the links

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jd2511


Posts: 5
Joined: Sep 2010
Post: #12
07-10-2010 02:40 PM

Has anyone seen Agatha lately? London Street Rescue have been to look for her several times, without success - most recently on Tues 5/10 - as well as contacting the company that services the small park opposite the museum.
They are very keen to find her, particularly as winter is fast approaching. If anyone sees her, please contact LSR on 0870 383 3333, or online at http://www.streetrescue.org

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Hawkesrah


Posts: 69
Joined: Aug 2009
Post: #13
07-10-2010 06:11 PM

I have seen a homeless woman a few times in Forest Hill about a month ago mainly near Westbourne Drive. i think she might be of mixed race, a bit overweight and she carries luggage with her

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lottie


Posts: 45
Joined: Mar 2009
Post: #14
07-10-2010 09:14 PM

No I haven't seen her for a few weeks but it might be worth asking local coffee shops etc who I witnessed giving her hot drinks especially From The Forest.

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jd2511


Posts: 5
Joined: Sep 2010
Post: #15
08-10-2010 10:11 AM

Thanks for that info - LSR will continue looking for her. Most of their shifts are in the evening - 7-midnight - coffee shops are unlikely to be open at that time, but there's a weekly day shift, on a Weds., so the info will be followed up then.
Thanks again!

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jd2511


Posts: 5
Joined: Sep 2010
Post: #16
08-10-2010 10:13 AM

Thank you - I think this is probably the same woman - the search continues!

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showtunesgirl


Posts: 203
Joined: Feb 2008
Post: #17
08-10-2010 03:30 PM

I haven't seen her but am thinking what a lovely place SE23 is that so many people are concerned about this lady.

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Mickey


Posts: 36
Joined: Mar 2010
Post: #18
08-10-2010 08:03 PM

I havnt seen her for a while, and was wondering how we could help her now with the colder weather approaching.
I was asking a few of the locals and somebody spotted her in Crystal Palace...........perhaps she has simply moved on.
Very sad.

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Rubyredshoes


Posts: 2
Joined: Nov 2010
Post: #19
08-11-2010 03:00 PM

I Spotted this lady many times back in august and september and called the council several times and the police in the hope that someone would give her some support. I bought her a cup of tea and a pastry one morning & she was very grateful. When I asked if there was anythingni could do or anyone I could call she began to cry silently which was very sad. I noticed at that time that she had a rattling chest and worried she was I'll. So I called the police that day again in the hope that she would get some help. I worried that she was vunerable , but I do not know if they helped. I haven't seen her since end if september.

I hope that she is ok

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ForestHillier


Posts: 490
Joined: Jul 2010
Post: #20
08-11-2010 03:14 PM

Very sadly - one of hundreds across our great city, must agree, it is good that so many of the good citizens of se23 care, I have not seen her yet either, would buy her a tea & food if i did

Makes me think of the Ralph Mctell song from the 70s = The Streets Of London, one part goes, how can you say your lour lonely,let me take you by the hand and show you the streets of london, Ill show you something that will make you change your mind, in the video, they show loads of homeless people, very poignant - lets hope she has found someone warm tp stay

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