“It’s frightening to sleep on the street” - Reflections from this year’s rough sleeper count
Porchlight CEO Tom Neumark shares his experience taking part in this year’s annual rough sleeping count and what it revealed about life on the streets.
It seemed fitting that this year’s rough sleeping annual snapshot took place during the week of Halloween. As I ended my two-hour shift with the incredible outreach team in Dover, one word rang in my head: “frightening”.
It was windy and quiet when we started at midnight - the kind of night when most people are tucked up in bed. The task for our small team was simple on paper yet heavy in reality; to walk the streets and count how many people were sleeping outside.
This count happens once per year, nationwide. Yes, the method has it's limits and some people are inevitably missed. But because it is done in the same way each year, we get an important truth: is homelessness improving, or getting worse?
On Dover seafront, we found several people bedded down for the night. They were doing their best to get out of the wind and stay warm. We woke each person gently to check how they were doing.
Every single one of them was startled and scared.
Of course, anyone would be on edge if woken in the night by a stranger. But this reaction was more intense, something deeper. They were frightened because it’s scary to sleep on the street. When you sleep rough you do not know what is going to happen, what the next hour will bring. You could be mocked, robbed, or attacked.
Fear and anxiety live with you constantly. You never exhale. You never relax. You never let your guard down.
I was struck by the professionalism and compassion of our team. They know where to look, how to approach people with respect, and how to offer help and support according to each individual’s needs and without judgment.
The night reminded me that the annual count is not really about numbers, it’s about the complicated tapestry of people’s lives, including their fears.
To document my experience, I filmed my thoughts before and after the count. If you’re moved by what you see, I ask you, as the CEO of Porchlight and as a fellow human being, to help.
Donate if you can. Volunteer if you can. Or simply share this message. Every bit of support helps us make sure that no one has to sleep rough in Kent.
