There are many reasons why these people are homeless and I'm sure that some of them can be helped back into a more 'normal' life.

However, there are also a good number of them who have deep problems and are less able to adapt - even with the help of Miriam Lodge and the wider community.

For instance - what hope is there for the man who, in the middle of the afternoon, stands, looking, from the street into a hairdresser's shop window, at an attractive young girl who's having her hair done and undoes his trousers and masturbates right there? This particular guy needs to be accompanied whenever he leaves the hostel - but that ain't happening is it!

There is no place in Forest Hill for Miriam Lodge in its current form, let alone for an extended version!