When I go down to the supermarket I often see people who are homeless. I try and give something and also give people details about a local housing association who help them.

But I have come across a young woman who stays with her friend, but tonight she knocked on our door. She explained that her friend had gone out to work and had locked her out. She would not be able to get back in until 6am?i asked her if she wanted the number of the homeless team but she said no. She has somewhere to go and sit and it’s not too cold.

But I wasn’t happy to just let her go. We gave her some change and a bit of fruit. I also gave her a thick warm scarf. Not much helpi know. What else could I do? I was trying to keep a social distance but help too.

My thought after she left, was why she was locked out? She said something about sleeping on the floor, so she might just be ‘sofa surfing’.

This brings up the issue of hidden homelessness. Women especially seem effected by this. They need to keep hidden to avoid being attacked or harmed. Why is this happening in a world that is so mad. If she comes back I will try and help more.