So while you guys are ending your working week and a kicking back with some tunes or a drink, mine is just beginning.
The night shelter is toasty warm, clean bedding is on and in 25 minutes I’ll have 17 fellas wanting a brew and some dinner.
Stay safe and be kind 💙
3 years ago my Dad lost his dad and then his two dogs within a short space of time. He’s not been the same since, but heartache does that to you.
My dad is 60 in a couple of weeks. I think my mum just helped him heal a little.
From grown man to small boy in seconds! ♥️
This morning I attended the saddest funeral I have ever been to.
4 mourners in the rain. No family, no friends. Just 4 mourners from professional bodies.
I cried all the way home.
His name was Martin. He was an arsenal fan, he lived and he was cared for. X
Perfectly encapsulated in less than 60 seconds - the ascendency of the power of music as a uniting force over age, race and social standing. A message that has transcended generations.
The Specials - You’re Wondering Now, live at Colchester Institute almost 43 years ago.
🖤
Shane MacGowan on Fairytale of New York.
I know both Shane and Kirsty’s careers extended far beyond this song, but to be immortalised in something this wonderful is really special. I’m glad he learned to love it again ♥️
Neil Young performing on The Johnny Cash Show in 1971.
The melancholy melody and Young’s delivery add weight to the lyrics and the brevity of the track only makes it more impactful in my opinion.
The Needle And The Damage Done.
#SmallFaces
performing Whatcha Gonna Do About It? In 1966…
The talent these kids possessed was insane. Love everything about this. The dancing, the sound, Steve’s stage presence, Plonk keeping it tight, Kenney smashing the beat and Mac looking cooler than cool.
Incredible. X
Terry Hall 💔
To say I’m devastated by this would be an understatement. This one has hit hard.
The Specials were, and still are, core to the soundtrack of my life.
He led an entire movement. He’s left an incredible legacy. Thank you for the music and the memories.
📸 Redferns
@ShoesChess
I cared. My colleagues cared. We checked in with him very regularly. Supported him. Advocated for him. Never showed him a closed door. We cared for his welfare and wellbeing when he’d lost all desire to look after his own. That’s how he was cared for.
Making the best of a bad situation... my daughter won’t get the film reference and will be pissed off at the dog getting Miss Squirrel but I had great fun.
#Hannibal
- The
#SylvanianFamilies
remake.
What I wouldn’t give to see an uprising in this type of social movement again!
The moral and ethical direction of a generation shaped through music, style and genuine swagger.
We shouldn’t need it, once should have been enough.
God bless The Specials!
📸 Chalkie Davies
My boy.
A couple of months ago he gave up.
Quit college, withdrew, was suicidal. My heart broke.
Today he had an interview.
Jan 4th he starts work with the carpenter who did our loft conversion, with the view to doing an apprenticeship with him.
Proud. He’s some fight in him.
HUMBLE BRAG!
3 weeks of hard work paid off today as one of the more extraordinary cases I’ve been assigned in this job was closed.
I left work with the satisfaction of knowing that I’ve been able to prevent a veteran in his 80’s from having to sleep rough. He’s now housed.
❤️
10 months ago I handed in my notice at school and took a risk, embarking on a career change that was driven by the heart and not the head and would see me signing month to month contracts. BIG risk!
It paid off! My job at the Night Shelter is now permanent. 💙💙💙
Can you believe someone has stolen the recently laid turf on my grandads grave over the weekend?! And from another relatives grave too.
An ornament, a drink left in memory, a candle I could almost understand.
My brother and our friend spent time making this look nice.
I’ve had 3 funerals in the last 8 days, and I’m cried out, griefed out, absolutely done with goodbyes.
So let’s do what we always do. Brew’s up, kiddos. Bring biscuits. Let’s start to look ahead and hope for brighter days.
Cheers ♥️ x
He had a horrific start to secondary school following a violent attack that led to self harm and bullying but tonight all I heard is how amazing my son is, how intelligent and funny he is, how incredible his music collection is, how much he’s grown and is set to achieve.
Proud ♥️
Someone has just messaged me “What size for underwear?” And I’ve messaged them back “No fuckin chance!!!” only to be reminded that a while back they’d offered to send underwear and socks for the homeless guys at the accommodation we’re running...
I want to die! 😂😂😂😂😂
My baby girl smashed her driving test today!
She mostly paid for her car herself, has insured it herself, and has worked hard to get this far! So bloody proud of her 🥰 xxx
Remembering the unsurpassable
#SteveMarriott
, who tragically lost his life on this day in 1991.
A tremendous voice that belied his very being. A drive to create that propelled him headlong into a league of his own. His legacy a rich, musical tapestry.
♥️
📸 Andrew Maclear
Say what you will about the roses, but that first album is bursting with fancy fuckin magic.
Squire’s fire fingers. Ian’s less-than-perfect, gritty vocals underlaid by the groove master Mani. All tightened up by Reni’s harmonies, his shimmer and pace the big fat cherry on top!
My beloved Grandad Paddy is gone.
Lucky to have been holding his hand this morning, all the way to the final moment, and I’m grateful for all the moments in between.
Here’s my hand and here’s my heart. A little bit broken but with you always.
Your little tuppence.
xXx
We’re ready! 17 guys due to arrive in the next 15 minutes so from our safe and warm Nightshelter to you...
Wishing you all a wonderful 2019.
If 2018 taught me anything it’s to give, give, give... time, kindness and love.
#KindnessMatters
#HomelessNotHelpless
I signed up for Twitter over a decade ago. If you told me then it would become a valued lifeline for me during some of the toughest times in my life I’d have laughed.
And yet here we are.
Thank you for another year of friendship and kindness and support. I am grateful for you 🤍
Bit of punching down re: tattoos today.
This is my dad. I’ve never known him as anything other than a colourful, walking canvas. He’s so devoted - worked 3 jobs when we were kids. He would do anything for anyone, even you. He’s so loving. He’s my dad. Don’t be so judgemental.
4 years on from the first time he tried to end his own life, 4 years of mental health services, addiction, recovery, relapse and further recovery, and the boy is finding a new type of high… Living.
Sent from somewhere in the Brecon Beacons. My heart 🤍 xxx
On Saturday morning I heard Frank Skinner and his radio sidekick on Absolute Radio discussing the line “How’s your Bert’s lumbago?” and neither of them knew the song it came from nor the band that sang it.
Naturally I was aghast.
I haven’t stopped thinking about it since.
Just found a 3 yr old in a car alone, munching on a bag of iced gems, while her mum was doing the shop in asda.
Spoke with the manager and put a call out for mum who took her sweet time and was fuming at my audacity.
Row ensued.
The fuck is wrong with people? Cuñts.
Apologies for irritating some folk with my music shares, despite doing it most weekends.
You’re free to go at any time. Do it without being snide though. Hard times innit... people struggle. There are worse coping strategies than music. Music helps me.
Born on this day, 1947.
🤍 Stephen Peter Marriott 🤍
This man’s soul marched to a different beat.
A spearhead, sometimes cavalier in his quest for perpetual musical creativity, and one of the finest voices to ever grace our ears.
Flawed genius personified…
📸 Michael Putland
@KenGoodwinITV
Horribly sad. Whilst I don’t wish to attend the funerals of any of the rough sleepers I work with, should the need arise I will endeavour to attend any and all. Nobody should leave here alone x
@hstephenson7
I’m so sorry Helena. One thing I try to commit to is being there at the end. I think the family deserves to know their loved one was cared for and supported, especially if there has been a period of estrangement. We become quite close with the people we work with x
The response to this blown me away. From 4 people to so many more…
Thank you for acknowledging Martin, and your words of kindness. The comments have run away from me but I am grateful for the lovely responses on what has been a tough day.
❤️
This morning I attended the saddest funeral I have ever been to.
4 mourners in the rain. No family, no friends. Just 4 mourners from professional bodies.
I cried all the way home.
His name was Martin. He was an arsenal fan, he lived and he was cared for. X
Fantastic clip of The Kinks at the BBC from 1973, with Ray Davies encouraging audience participation in their delivery of Dedicated Follower Of Fashion.
“Let’s have a laugh, no one’s here for art!”
♥️
If you’re gonna come on here and call Francis Bourgeois a retard I will call you mean names back. And your mum.
He’s the embodiment of happiness. He brings other people happiness. Which is more than can be said for some.
Fortunate Son - Creedence Clearwater Revival at The Royal Albert Hall, 1970.
Love this performance, love this band.
If you haven’t seen Travelin’ Band on Netflix yet, you should. X
This week has tested my resolve enormously and, in addition to not-so-gentle seas at home, I’ve been ready to admit defeat.
Still one shift left to go, but a big “cheers” to anyone else who has found themselves really battling against it recently. KFG. We’re doing ok 🤍 x
4 years ago I looked and felt so much better than I look and feel now.
Depression & anxiety are a pair of wretched cunts hellbent on destruction, jollied along by the ignorance of other people and, in my case, fuelled by self-sabotage.
I w̷a̷n̷t̷ ̷t̷o̷ WILL get back there.
Especially for those who enjoy hating my over-worked, tired, mildly acne prone face.
Keep on with your toxicity. You’re slowly poisoning yourself and it’s sad.
Happy Friday to the good souls - enjoy your weekend. I’ll be enjoying mine. X
❣️ Happy love day twitter peeps! ❣️
Please enjoy a snippet of colourised footage of the
#SmallFaces
performing All Or Nothing on Beat! Beat! Beat!
Love youuuu*!!!
*some of ya.
Tories laugh at covid rules during Christmas bash at Conservative Campaign Headquarters in London during lockdown.
"As long as we're not streaming that we're like, bending the rules.. 🤣"
Re:
#PrimalScream
#MartinDuffy
's death: His son Louie was praised for being a strong advocate for his father and gave a full statement to the inquest. Extracts have been reported but he wanted this evidence made available in full (Martin would be v proud)
Well lads.
I should be in the pub just now but I’m actually having a brew before I go back to work.
Happy first day of March. Happy Friday. Happy fuckin weekend.
Cheers 🫖 x
Beginning of this week I felt tired. Isolated. Depressed. Lonely. Worried. Anxious. Overwhelmed. Exhausted.
Middle of this week I felt desperate.
End of this week I feel a bit calmer. Supported. A little bit more rational.
That’s down to some of you. Thank you. 💛💖💛
Meeting done. Celebratory brew!
I know not everyone is interested in my work, I respect that.
I even respect your right to tell me that. Mostly.
Some people need to be less cunty about it though.
That is all.
Cheers ☺️
Hearing my dad idly comment on how lovely it was to have us all together, his kids and grandkids, I could have cried. I don’t even know whether anyone else heard it. He was just pondering.
What a wonderful thing to be filled with gratitude for.
No Sunday blues.
Cheers loves x
5 months ago my lad was talked down from a car park roof in the small hours by MH first-aiders and police.
This weekend he’s been hitting all the London hipster hotspots with his girlfriend and doing what 17 yr olds do.
He’s rediscovering his vitality and it’s beautiful to see.
Friday, pals.
After a horrific week at work I’ve rounded off with good news for my sister and plans with my friends are afoot tomorrow.
We seize the good and hold onto it.
If your week has been kind, I hope your weekend is equally so.
If it hasn’t, I wish you abundant joy! X
Easily one of the most powerful sets of pipes and possibly the best set of pins in music… not to mention her formidable stage presence.
Tina Turner ♥️
📸 Patrice Habans
This week I’ve laughed, cried (a lot), conducted assessments & manhunts, seen tremendous break throughs, housed people & administered agitators to stop an overdose while the paramedics were en route.
I would normally be at the pub but tonight I need tea, tunes & calm. Cheers! X
Small Faces performing Hey Girl on German TV show Beat, Beat, Beat in 1966.
If there’s one thing I love about their live performances it’s the little wry smiles and glances. Love their energy.
Isn’t it strange that the one thing that is likely to soothe me is the one thing I can’t bring myself to engage with just yet.
I love sharing music. Can you send me a song? I’ll make a playlist and when I’m ready I’ll listen to it. I’d appreciate it.
x 🤍 x
In stark contrast to yesterday’s sad post…
Emma recently came off the streets. Today we helped her celebrate her 40th birthday with a shit ton of chocolate. The average age of death for women experiencing roughsleeping is 43…
Hopefully we’ll be here to celebrate many more! 🩷
Best suitcase I’ve ever packed!
It’s rehab day for my client!
Last night I went shopping for him because he deserves the dignity of rocking up with his own suitcase of clean, fresh clothes (and I’ve stashed a good luck note in there too, rolled into some joggers!).
Let’s go ✊🏻
Just been approached by a man I don’t recognise at all…
“Siân- it’s me. You don’t recognise me do you?!”
Turns out I housed him around 18 months ago and he looks FANTASTIC! I could have cried! 😭 x