Straight from the Big Top ADVERT Illustration: Murray Somerville
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Your Free Union Magazine November 2008 STRAIGHT FROM THE BIG TOP ADVERT Illustration: Murray Somerville EDITOR’S NOTE Hey everyone, welcome to the second issue of Spaghetti Junction this academic year! I hope you all enjoyed the Freshers’ edition and that you are ready for another great issue (if I do say so myself). As ever, we have coverage of all the latest Union happenings, as well as all the latest music, film and DVD reviews. For all you avid readers out there, we have a book review for you. So make sure you check it out, so that when you head down to Waterstones to pick up whatever it is on your reading list, you will know what’s hot and what’s not outside of all that ‘academic’ literature! If after all that book related excitement you are feeling peckish, be sure to check out Natalie’s Cookery Corner for some cheap and tasty recipe ideas. So, that’s it from me and the team until January when we shall be back with our Winter special. See you all then! Roxanne Carmen Hawker Editor: Roxanne Carmen Hawker [email protected] Editor-in-Chief: Jennifer James [email protected] Deputy Editor:Natalie Marchant [email protected] News, Current Affairs, Features & Student Groups Editor: Georgie Campbell [email protected] Design & Graphics Co-Editor: Jak Flash [email protected] Design & Graphics Co-Editor: Poppy French [email protected] UP FRONT Documentary 4 New Street Station 8 Scratch Radio 9 Union News 10 Recycle 12 LGBT 13 Charity 14 Jew Society 15 City North 16 Food Miles 18 FEATURES Sports 21 Stampede 22 Big Squeeze 24 STUDENT CULTURE Beauty 27 Fashion on Campus 28 Natalie’s Cookery Corner 30 Student of the Month 32 Study Tips 33 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Bands in University 35 Reviews 36 Horoscopes 42 UP front documentary In this article Jak Flash investigates Heart of the one of the greatest social divides in Britain; looking into those who have no home and the Homeless ramifications this status can hold. N ow, I can’t quite tell what the the man who comes on the bus in to give exact numbers and find driving point was for me to write his dirty ragged clothes, smelling statistics that detail on the number this article. I’m not charitable and of urine, bottle in hand, shouting of people who are homeless in my general outlook is you get obscenities to each passer by, and England. This is because you out what you put in. I was always I imagine it’s true for most of us don’t register as being homeless, under the impression that people that we pick up pace whenever we its just something that befalls you. who where homeless never tried see someone in our path selling A report was created in hard enough to be homed. For the Big Issue. Before they’ve even 2007/8 detailing the reasons for whatever reasons they came asked, you’ve made the decision homelessness and grouping them to live on the streets, it was you don’t want it and respond with into percentages. It was also their own fault and, if they really some minimal dismissal. speculated that approximately 500 wanted, they could get a job and Homelessness is a social people sleep rough each night, find somewhere to stay. I feel the category for people who do not although many people argue that real reasoning for this is the fact have a home, if you live in a hostel this statistic is much lower than that I moved out when I was 16 you are also considered homeless the actual reality of those without with little financial help from my as they are only short term fixed residence. So I wanted to parents, so if I could do it, why abodes. There are an estimated investigate what homelessness couldn’t everyone else? 100 million people world wide who was and open the doors on these We’ve all stuck our nose up at are homeless, however it’s difficult social outcasts. Hostel today, gone tomorrow T o begin my research, I wanted to find out what help was available and where homeless people could stay so, using the Birmingham City Council website, I sought to find some local hostels so I could investigate the living conditions there. The first thing I noticed from the list was that 7/9 hostels only housed men and each hostel had a specific age limit. From the list, I contacted Milner Court hostel (just outside of Digbeth) that specifically homes men aged 16-21. I found this one particularly relevant, as it’s an age range applicable to a lot of university students. I rang up and arranged a visit and, although they seemed very busy and eager to maintain the confidentiality of the residence, they managed to fit me in. The man I spoke to on the phone helped me to find the hostel by giving me directions and saying: ‘you won’t miss it, it looks like a hostel’. In my mind, I envisaged a shabby old council building in desperate need of fixing up, with bars on the windows and those common place council design signs. However, I was faced with something contrary to my previous belief. Here before me was a brand new building with a modern design, clean walls and intercom doors. I was quite shocked at how high the building’s quality was. It turned out that some time ago a Milner Court is funded by ‘The Supporting People programme’ which helps people indeed improve their quality of life by providing a stable environment helping them to live independantly. man named Reverend Milner set up a night shelter in Digbeth 4 SPAGHETTI JUNCTION UP front documentary that was called The Boot. Then, on the grounds where Milner Court stands, a second shelter was established- The New Boot. Last December, the shelter was revamped and renamed Milner Court Hostel after the Reverend who set up the initial shelter. 11 members of staff run the hostel with its 25 bedrooms, which are pretty much always in use. The hostel allows its residents to stay there for a maximum of 28 days, and provides them with breakfast, an en suite shower room and kitchen and, I must say in my opinion, the quality of these rooms was far beyond that of Hamstead Halls. The hostel isn’t just a place to relax and get away from it all though, you’re given a key worker and provided with help to set up benefits and things in order to get your life back on track. There are many reasons that people may find themselves staying in a hostel; for Milner Court I was told common reasons are such things as family breakdowns, people seeking asylum and people released from custody. There are restrictions in this hostel though, not just anyone can stay here. They will not admit anyone with previous arson, sexual or violent offences. Milner Court has established a close bond with the police who will arrive almost instantly if there is even a hint of trouble. To get a place in a hostel you first have to attend a meeting in the St. Basil’s Link, which is located near the Gosta Green campus, and then receive an interview/induction at the hostel. I feel that the homeless have a stigma attached to them that we aren’t willing to easily investigate or question. Before writing this article, I had little place in my life for these people and disregarded them as something I didn’t have time for. When faced with a homeless person, many of us presume upon first sight how that person may have come to the position they’re in. Generally, I feel the initial reaction is just to apply excessive drunkenness to loss of belongings and home, but what we have to remember is that these situations can be very complex and fighting our personal demons can often be a battle lost without the correct help. Affordable housing, unemployment, lack of healthcare, drugs, mental you’re pretty illness, domestic violence, prison release, natural disaster and eviction are some of the many reasons that may leave a person without a home, left to seek refuge upon the streets, in doorways and train stations. much a social Once the onset of homelessness begins, it can be a dangerous and tragic spiral, with the few hopes you have dwindling away. outcast, but On the street, you are without proper healthcare and the nights can be cold, the floor is dirty, your five a day fruit and veg will be out the window things can get along with all proper nutrition. You won’t have the opportunities to have a good education and won’t be suitable for employment. With no bank to save your money and no technological communications, you’re pretty worse much a social outcast but, things can get worse because the moment you’re on the streets, you’re subject to discrimination and possibly violence, regardless of the reasons you have to be without a home. I imagine most of us come from loving parents and have a lot of support from our families ‘back home’. It may be that the guy you see on the street was thrown out by his family and now without a fixed residence is unable to continue the education that we’ve take for granted. It is possible for the homeless to take the first step though.