As a result of blogging Sean's story here - and Anastasia Wells sharing it on Facebook, Sean has experienced overwhelming support from all who read his story. This of course proves the value of a 'stop, look and listen' approach to the homeless; for it shows that there is more to their circumstance, and ability, then meets the eye.
So impressed have readers been that they have offered a variety of tangible supports, from tatoo ink supplies to webpage promotion. One lady, Wendy, who runs Bournemouth Garden's Art Exhibition, read his story and determined to meet him at Saturday's Soup Kitchen (Street Light).
There she met, and introduced, herself to Sean - and together they planned ways of making his art more high-profile, and accessible, to public viewing. Sean will be offered a regular pitch, and furthermore, from this Thursday - and across the weekend - they are having an extended Art Exhibition where Sean's work will feature amongst other local artists.
He will have assistance with the mounting and displaying of his work, and with producing, and issuing, business cards to interested customers. Be sure to stop by, look out for, and support him. Sean is on a well deserved road back to recovery. He is really the type of gentleman, and hero, who relinquishes his own home for the sake of his twin boys.
Sean's Supporters are all hoping that these recent turn of events will allow Sean to visit his boys in South Wales this Christmas. They are currently in the Custody of his Mother, yet he hasn't been able to see them for some time now - years. He really wants to get back on his feet and be in the right place to visit them, with stability. Together we can make this happen. Sean refuses to beg and - the natural born counsellor that he is, uses his professional counselling qualification to offer free words and advice to his fellow homeless and anyone who cares to stop by - whilst pitched outside Christchurch Road's Subway - on a Friday evening. He refuses hand outs, feeling more comfortable to give than to receive anything for nothing.
It's the likes of Sean, and his close friend Alex, who will need the homeless night shelter this Winter. Rough sleepers currently have no where, but a waiting list, to go. The nights, and the days, are getting colder - yet it's been since last September that the rug was pulled on local open-access sheltering. Furthermore, BCHA has revealed that, with the success of dismantling direct-access night shelters in Bournemouth, there are plans to roll out this initiative across the whole of the UK. Let's head it off here first. Please support our petition to help homeless rough sleepers this Winter.
