HOMELESS & HUNGRY IN HAMILTON
We reveal the shocking, squalid den people on the streets are forced to use as winter shelter
This week the Advertiser has uncovered a squalid homeless den in the heart of Hamilton.
These shocking images show the horrible conditions that one man has been forced to endure during the recent sub-zero weather.
He has been living under a bridge near to the Palace Grounds and said: “It’s like living like an animal — and even at that, no-one would expect an animal to live in these conditions.
“Living on the streets is horrible. I could write a best-selling book with the things I have seen while being out here.
“My things have been burnt by kids before, blankets and things like that. Some people have been so kind to me but others, sadly not so much.”
Homeless, hungry and huddled against the harsh winter chill – this is the harrowing story hidden in the heart of Hamilton.
As temperatures plummeted below zero last week, someone was seeking shelter in a squalid den under a bridge near the Palace Grounds. While snow battered the town on Friday, commuters battling against the elements to get home were oblivious to the plight of one man as they thundered over his makeshift home. Only wanting to reveal his first name, Robert said: “It’s like living like an animal – and even at that, no-one would expect an animal to live in these conditions.” For months now, he has been eking out an existence below the bridge that is only a few hundred yards from the town’s Asda store. Originally from Poland, he has endured physical abuse and the few possessions he has stashed away in bin bags have also been targeted.
He said: “I have a son in Poland and if he knew about this situation, he would be right out here, but I don’t want to worry him. He is smart and studying, he doesn’t need this.”
When asked if he is ever frightened to live like this, Robert replied: “Living on the streets is horrible. I could write a best-selling book with the things I have seen while being out here.”
Robert also explained that some of his possessions had been vandalised by teenagers in the town and he has also been assaulted many times and had bricks thrown at him. He asked: “Do I still have blood on my face?”
He then continued: “Some of my things have been burnt by kids before, blankets and things like that. Some people have been so kind to me but others, sadly not so much. Those bags over there are all I have left.
“People come down here to take drugs and drink but I don’t. They are not very nice at all, they have hurt me.”
The 51-year-old said that he was working in Lanark as a labourer but ended up on the streets after the company he was working with just vanished one day, leaving him with absolutely nothing.
He said: “All I want is to be working, as that is when I am at my happiest.”
Robert uses a nearby fast-food restaurant to get washed every day.
He said: “I am thankful to everyone who helps me and gives me clothes and food.”
We visited the rubbish-strewn site with Hamilton man Kevin Queen, a volunteer who helps the homeless with Second Chance Scotland.
He has been helping Robert out with food and clothes and said: “I was volunteering to help the homeless in Glasgow but when I heard about Robert’s situation, which was right on my door step, I knew I had to step in and give some sort of help.
“This is an issue that really needs to be addressed. It’s horrendous that Robert is having to live under here – just look at the place.”
Living on the streets is horrible Homeless man ‘Robert’