Can you see the warmth of the heat inside, the glistening turkey and trimmings, Xmas pud with sauce and a nice steaming cuppa to wash it all down with?…

Nope, me neither… what I see is all the above behind a window, closed door without money, and even with money, the likelihood is you will be invited to leave the second you enter, as you aren’t presenting in the best way.

Settle back to your bed, (sorry bench), we know your sort, that’s why we have security on the door, and anyway, we’ve phoned the police cos you’re creating a disturbance for our shoppers with your anti-social behaviour.

Welcome to Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate in York, city of culture and tourism, proud beacons of human rights.

Now, this isn’t an article about this particular shop, that’s not my point, it’s the reality for many of our people experiencing homelessness across the city; refused, ejected, banned even from the places others are free to enter.

The real reason for this particular picture is a place behind the building: a church, an organisation where breakfast is served every morning, with activities on some afternoons, where people facing homelessness, isolation, vulnerability can come for a hot meal, warmth, a chat and a kind listening ear to hear what’s happening for them – it’s that fabulous, hence why I volunteer there too.

Residents of the city have a moral duty of kindness, in my humble opinion……. don’t sneer, mock, even challenge people, embrace them and look at the reasons to support them, not isolate them… PLEASE!

Time to reflect, gather and start with kindness, that costs nowt, but gifts so, so much 🎄🤗👨‍👩‍👦

Miles