Councillors, as elected representatives, have the power to better the lives of the rough sleepers 

• AS we approach Christmas, my thoughts turn to those not blessed with warm bed in which to sleep or a table furnished with food at which to dine.

As I pass those on West End Lane, whose personal predicaments have led to a life on the street, I am partly consoled that there are charities and service providers whose purpose it is to help these unfortunate souls.

Yet, the truth is, the help and service they offer is only given to those with whom they are brought into contact. How does someone laid so low by life find the resource within to negotiate the path to the door of those who are able to help?

Only those with a voice will be heard. So it is vital that there are people who are able advocate on behalf of those without a voice; people who are able to act as an interlocutor between those who seek care and those who generously provide it.

Were you to call Camden’s “Routes off the Streets” service, as did I at 8:20am on Tuesday about a rough sleeper who clearly needed help, you would get through to voicemail.

Were you to persist and dial through to the out-of-hours service, likewise you would get through to a voicemail.

Were you then to call the local emergency services, you would find as did I, your concern being given the lowest priority; an hour later, the poor individual I reported was still crouched, shivering and soiled, on West End Lane.

It seems to me that councillors, resourced with the powers and authority of the state, are best placed to advocate and act on behalf of the poor unfortunates in our midst, those who seem unable to access the services available to them.

The six councillors of West Hampstead and Fortune Green, whose wards encompass and abut West End Lane, live in the same neighbourhood as me. They walk the very same streets as me, past the very same destitute, individuals as me.

So why does rough sleeping persist on West End Lane? Why aren’t our councillors exercising their powers as elected officials?

Why aren’t they acting as effective interlocutors between the destitute on their doorstep and the organisations who are able to help them?

Councillors, as elected representatives, have the power to better the lives of the rough sleepers this Christmas. They should use it.

KEITH SEDGWICK
Fortune Green