In 1982 I lived in a hostel for homeless men. I wasn’t homeless, I was there as a volunteer. There were two volunteers and, although we shared a room on the top floor, we were rarely there together. That was because our main duty was the night shifts. There was quite a lot of cleaning to be done and the potatoes for the following evening’s meal had to be peeled (which was easily done in a machine). The last night shift duty was the preparation of about 40 breakfasts, including mine, after which all the men left the hostel. When not attending to these mundane tasks, the night could be passed talking to sleepless insomniac residents.
The Shilhay Hostel in Exter in the early 1980s. It may not be there now? Does anyone remember videos?
Drawing by Danny who was a painter, decorator, sign writer and alcoholic. Thank you, Danny, for gifting me the picture.
A reference for me from David Campbell. Thank you, David, for your kind words.
Tales from a hostel for homeless men…..
The knives are out (to follow)
The (leather) coat will suit you fine (to follow)
Legless (to follow)
From resident to member of staff to thief? (to follow)