Big Issue sellers, buskers, and even the odd beggar occupy our streets, appealing to us with the familiar phrase, “Can you spare some change mate?”

Why is Cambridge, a town with such wealth, also the home to so many in such a vulnerable position, and should we spare the change? 

It is often – wrongly – believed that the only cause of homeless is addiction problems. Whilst drug and alcohol abuse is a major issue, mental health problems or simply losing a job and financial stability are also contributing factors. The challenge of those groups who wish to re-establish people into permanent accommodation is to find a way to restore the factors required in running a normal life.   

Jimmy’s Night Shelter told us about one guest they called ‘Nick’ who had become homeless due to addiction problems with heroin and alcohol. Nick was in and out of sheltered accommodation over several years while Jimmy’s tried to improve his health. After building up a better condition of life Nick was able to agree that he wanted to get his life back on track. Six years later, he is in permanent accommodation, has a family and volunteers at the Shelter. 

What seems important in rehabilitation, in addition to help from groups such as Jimmy’s, is a degree of personal motivation to stop living on the streets. At a certain point it is up to the person to improve their own life, and it must be said that some do not choose this path and remain in the cycle of homelessness. 

Homelessness in Cambridge is not going to go away. If we want to help those in need, it will entail more than simply sparing some change here and there.We must commit to devoting our time and our support to addressing the standard of conditions for those who have to live life rough.

Concerned about homelessness? VarsiTV will be uploading its homelessness investigation next week on www.varsitv.co.uk.