Are things so bad now in Wirral that this post on Freecycle is necessary?

"I have recently met a homeless couple who are currently staying in a tent on the wirral, which has come about through no fault of their own. I am trying to help them out by collecting food etc for them, so they are at least able to eat, and i am looking into any available accomodation. If anyone has any food or items etc they wouldnt mind donating, that would be fab! I will collect, thanks in advance."

Don't believe it until you are sure it's not a con, there was a guy on here who use to get stuff off freecycle and sell them on, just because they are saying someone is homeless doesn't mean it's true? Don't trust anyone until you see it with your own eyes, ask where the tent is so you can see if it's there.

Youre right of course assasin , how sad that we have to think like that though . Its hard to believe that a couple have been reduced to an actual tent, unless they choose that over a hotel theyve been allocated or something yet I cant help feeling that it may well be true. Surely a person posting that request falsly will know that its very likely they will be asked 'where' ,that people would go for a look, and that there will probably be people on FC who are connected to social services/housing/press or whoever deals with it , and would investigate, hence discovering any jiggery pokery?

Venice I felt sorry for the french bloke that was camping down by where I work until we rang the people who help the homeless and we're told he had been offered help numerous times. You couple may well be genuine though and if they are I hope they get all the help they need.

Me too Dilly. Im absolutely sure after the persons FC posting, it will be picked up by the local press one way or another , debunked, or council put under the microscope ensuring they get the right help.

I find Freecycle to be a small community- at least, it was a few years back.

I had a 'Black Book' with all DNAs etc listed and the piss-takers were easy to spot.

With regard to somebody asking for food for homeless people- allegedly. Seems a strange place to ask for food. Assassin refers to those people who sell-on- surely nobody is planning on collecting tins of food to sell on??

I think the O.P intent is genuine- maybe asking for themselves, possibly?

Plusone was duped the other week- he handed money/ food over to somebody in the carpark by Wilkies in Birkenhead. I recognised the bloke from local media reports/ here as being a serial (now criminalised) piss-taker but I was too late to stop the hand-over.

Sadly, there are genuine people in need though here on Wirral. This will increase in the next few weeks due to the roll-out of the (yet) un-fit for purpose Universal Credit.

Re. 'The Frenchman'. I pass his tent most week-days on my commute. Yet to clap eyes on the fella!

I think the difficulty is that people 'note' the well-known ones and all rally to support them. From looking on Social Media your French Bloke was absolutely beseiged with donations of food, drink, bedding, use of showers, fags etc. More than he could possibly use...whereas others- unknown- recieve nowt. This is why un-official groups such as Wirral Community Spirit and Wirral Homeless suggest that people donate to a central point, rather than to individuals. I don't know the involvement of official services.

Yes I was listening to the roll out stuff. Absolutely disgraceful thinking anything less than zero weeks wait for money is acceptable .Think the universal credit might have been a good idea , but its being ruined by the god damn awful administration . Truly a nightmare for those affected.

Really? Any need to be so pedantic?

"When in Rome"
I shouldn't have to say this.

You crack on, mate! Whatever makes you happy!

Thank you very much. I didn't know I was your mate. Now I do.

This topic is more important than you trying to score points so 'Yeah.....whatever. Goodnight'.

This why we need people like you , people that know everything. Get a job !!!

Never said that I know everything.

I made contact yesterday with an offer to drop stuff off , but have heard nothing .

There is a lot of support for homeless people on Wirral and it is sad for the Charities that work so hard to help homeless people to read these postings. If they are living in a tent they have options and can register with council housing options. Also YMCA night shelter has capacity for all comers and provides the opportunity to meet support workers.Food and clothing is provided everyday apart from Sunday at Charles Thompson mission.Salvation Army open Sunday night. St Vincent de Paul Society assist with deposits and furniture Forum Housing provide accommodation for all 18-35 years. Also Arc and Arch Angels provide excellent support.

That guy's Tent in Oakdale road has either been nicked or the council shifted it. I passed there last week and it had gone and the place tidied up. I did see another tent tucked away behind the brick Lock keepers building by Duke St Bridge last month but I've no idea if anyone's living in it, or if it was just someone fishing in the Dock trying to keep dry.