Looking at the stars by judithg

Looking at the stars

Another in the Mitcham's Corner Mannequin series. This one is located at the Wintercomfort day centre which provides facilities for people who are homeless or at risk of losing their homes. Cambridge does not have many (if any) people sleeping on the street in as much as people have flats provided but that does not mean that everybody lives 'normally'. There are a considerable number of people with mental health and/or addiction issues who spend all day on the streets, or are out all night and struggle with a multitude of health problems. Wintercomfort provides a place to wash, seek medical advice, get a meal or access to a computer and find employment opportunities through the Big Issue etc. There was a dreadful case here in 1999 when two of the managers were jailed because although there was a strict anti-drugs policy, and they were working hard to stop dealing on the premises, they would not pass their files to the police. They believed that that would have compromised the trust of those they were trying to help. So two officers went undercover, were offered drugs and the managers were found guilty of permitting drug dealing and sentenced to five and four years respectively. There was a huge outcry and a campaign to free them and the court of appeal reduced their sentences so that they were released immediately, but the seven months in jail had a terrible effect on both them and the running of centres such as this one as charity workers were terrified of being sent to jail.
Three GT:
1. Wintercomfort is still going.
2. Rachel and Nigel and the rest of the karate team safely arrived in America.
3. Happy birthday mum!
That is a sad tale......authorities are very stupid sometimes......why can't they get info anyway it comes without someone having to jeopardise their source!
Te mannequin looks very interestingly dressed.....hope she gets lots of money in her pot.....great cause!
July 16th, 2014  
@happypat I forgot that - the things around her waist represent things they can get at wintercomfort. She has a nice pair of floral Doc Martin's on as well.
July 16th, 2014  
Well I like your picture but that is a terrible story. These jobs are highly underpaid as it is and I bet very stressful - and this is how they repay people who devote their lives to helping people.
July 16th, 2014  
@judithg oh classy lady........I expect someone might nick them?
July 16th, 2014  
@fueast it was pretty unfathomable and very upsetting - not sure how the law stands now. Most of the problems on the street outside there are due to drunkeness.
July 16th, 2014  
@judithg and most of the biggest crimes aren't out on the street...
July 16th, 2014  
The mannequin is gorgeous, love the scrabble necklace.

A very sad tale you have told about the charity workers :( It's sometimes too easy to forget what some people are going through in life......and that there are some people that are out there trying to make a difference and getting no thanks
July 16th, 2014  
What an terrible thing to do to people who are trying to help those in need.I hate the undercover tactic -- it' seems like enticement to me.
July 16th, 2014  
I noticed the scrabble necklace too! Maybe they get games to play? Interesting and upsetting story to read about people who do good!
July 16th, 2014  
@maggiemae yes I think so - opportunities to socialise - also it says 'We may be lying in the gutter but some of us are looking at the stars'.
July 16th, 2014  
Wow that is frightening! Great photo.
July 17th, 2014  
This is great
July 17th, 2014  
Haven't been to see these - must do so: this is great!
July 17th, 2014  
How interesting! Never seen anything like it! Very original!
July 17th, 2014  
JH
One of my close friends (the Histon based one) was a homeless worker in Cambs at the time - know she was involved in the protests. Truly shocking!
July 24th, 2014  
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