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The Dispossessed: Londoners respond to Prince William's call to arms with practical help
David Cohen 3 Mar 2010
The response of Londoners to the Evening Standard campaign to tackle poverty in the capital has been overwhelming. Our switchboard has been jammed with people offering practical and financial help to the young people featured in our special report on The Dispossessed, and which is running all week.
Readers expressed anger and outrage at the hidden deprivation that is the lot of almost half the capital's children and responded to Prince William's “call to arms” for each one of us to personally answer this challenge.
The story of 18-year-old Vincent Maduabueke, who wants to study dance at university but cannot afford the £19 UCAS application fee, provoked a huge response with scores of readers offering to pay his fees or help financially.
A spokesman from Middlesex University, Vincent's preferred choice, called to say that they were so stirred by his story that they are willing to break with tradition and offer him a chance to apply direct without going through UCAS.
“We have never done anything like this before, all our graduates come through UCAS, but we are so moved by the piece that appeared in the Standard, and by Vincent's own determination to get a degree, that we want to help,” the spokesman said. “Vincent is exactly the kind of student we want here at Middlesex and the dance department in our School of Arts and Education will be waiting to hear from him.”
Dozens of readers expressed shock that Vincent — who lives in Upper Street in Islington opposite the restaurant where Tony Blair and Gordon Brown met to plot Labour's rise to power — has never eaten out or gone to a West End theatre.
Offers of tickets and meals rolled in for “the boy who looks out from his window and doesn't see the restaurant over the road because he cannot afford to go there”.
Nick, a Metropolitan Police officer, wrote to say: “I see poverty and desperation in my work, but I detach myself because it's part of the job'. Yet reading the Standard on Monday, I was shaken to realise that here is a young man whose ambitions are dependent on what I spend on lattes in a week. It's the Vincents of this world that make London a great city.
“Here's a young fella staying honest and trying to better himself despite huge obstacles not of his making. As well as covering his UCAS application costs, I'd like to give him and his family theatre tokens for a West End dance show and will cover their travel costs too. Hopefully it will inspire him further as a dancer. I'm just a regular bloke, but something in your report made me feel shabby. We all need to be made to feel shabby from time to time. Thanks for giving my conscience a bit of a kicking.” Sinead Mallozzi, chief executive officer of West End restaurant Sketch, offered Vincent a night out. “It touched me to read that Vincent has never eaten in a restaurant. At Sketch we feed up to 2,000 people a week and I would be thrilled if he would accept an invitation to eat here free along with his mum and sister.
“I know it's a small gesture, but what the Standard has exposed makes my blood boil — how on earth can one of the richest cities in the world allow such degradation? I believe the action you are taking will make our political parties sit up and that your campaign will make a difference to the underprivileged in our city.”
For Jaydine, the single mother living within sight of Canary Wharf whose fridge was stolen and can't afford a cot for her baby, there was a similar flood of support. The 21-year-old has been offered a new fridge as well as numerous cots, prams, clothing and toys for her 11-month-old baby.
Sam Stock, 43, an investment banker working in the City, typified the response from mothers. “I've never been so moved,” she said. “I read it and was completely taken aback that people are living in such poverty in the centre of London. Being a mum and reading about Jaydine who doesn't even have a cot for her baby made me cry. There are probably many more just like her. I have a pristine cot in my loft to give her. I will buy her a new mattress and sheets to go with it and some clothes for her baby and will hire a van to get it to her.” Natalie Murray, 33, also a banker, added: “I'm the mother of a two-year-old and the story of Jaydine and her baby pulled at my heartstrings. I went home and got together some items we could contribute, like playmats, clothes, a cot, toys and a buggy. We sponsor a child in El Salvador through Plan International but I had no idea there was such absurd poverty right on our doorstop and down the road from where I work in Canary Wharf. I will never see London in quite the same way again.”
There were also initiatives to help the thousands of deprived young people, whose lives are typified by the likes of Vincent and Jaydine, into work. Dell computers called to say they are launching a pilot social inclusion scheme in Lambeth that will offer underprivileged 16- to 25-year-olds training in IT so that they can get decent jobs.
And the Islington-based welfare-to-work agency, Talent, offered to take Vincent and people like him onto their books and help them find jobs. “We were moved by Vincent making 32 job applications and not getting a single reply. It's tough when you start out and we can get him on his feet. He's obviously a bright lad and we would look at putting him into an entry-level position in catering or hospitality where he could earn £50 a day.”
Artist John McQuirk, 76, who lives in Pimlico and whose work has been displayed at the Victoria & Albert Museum, offered to donate eight charcoal drawings that typically sell at auction for around £900 each. “I want it to go towards the children in London living in poverty,” he said. “I grew up in three Catholic orphanages but I've been very lucky to have a fortunate adulthood. To see children suffering like this breaks my heart.”
For Tara Silvester, 41, a public-relations executive from west London, it was the paupers' graves that caused most distress.
“I feel shamefaced to live in London while children are still being buried in paupers' graves. I thought we had all moved on from that. If there is a charitable fund to avoid children being buried four to a grave, I would be keen to donate.”
Reader views (66)
Some of you are missing the point- this lad has applied for 32 jobs and canlt find work. Read the article again.
Good for you Vincent, it appears you never gave up hope and have not turned to crime and gangs to make ends meet- you sound like an indvidual let;s hope you inspire others to follow their dream.
- Caron, london UK, 05/03/2010 06:46
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I think you're all right, well most of you. Vincent and the women with 11 children are definitely doing wrong but we should help them because they havent' received the education to perform better in life.
To the question "What can we do?" I'd say: educate our kids to work, to be responsible for what they do, to have only the kids they can afford.
Beatriz from London, I wish you all the best
- Maria, London, 04/03/2010 14:47
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Jacob, London - who are you to call Wood Green, Seven Sisters, Tottenham slums? Do you even know what a slum is? That is not only insulting to the areas mentioned, it is insulting to the people of the third world who really do live in slums. Shame on you! And as for this so-called campaign: why not help the poverty stricken elderly people who can't even afford to heat their homes properly, not these wasters and chancers. It makes my blood boil and I'll have nothing to do with it! Evening Standard, I am disappointed in you!
- D Woodstock, London, 04/03/2010 14:06
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Perhaps his grannie can afford to give a few million to the cause out of the millions she gets for doing nothing.
- Thomas Hayes, Bradford UK, 04/03/2010 11:53
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Here is a suggestion, get a job.
I was scrubbing floors and cleaning toilets when I was at college. In my summer holidays I went to work at a local metal factory.
But then if you are a Labour voter working isn't exactly a fashionable thing to do.
It is about having the right attitude. Pull your finger out matey.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 04/03/2010 11:53
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I think we should all help each other more. A lot of people in London don't care. It's really hard just to get a decent room in a decent area. There are people out there making loads of money off the back of others. I have been looking for a room within a £500 budget and people are asking £800 pounds for a box room in a crap area or what they do is they fill up the house with people to get more money. What's going on? I also find that a lot of people in the UK are really judgemental or envious of what little poor people get.
I am really glad you are doing better than others but not everybody is else is so lucky anything can happen in anybody's life, meaning bad things that can put a person off balance so there should be a system in place to help people get back on track from bitter divorce, abuse from parents, psycological problems, getting a job etc. People respond to challenges in different ways you can't expect everybody to react the same way.The Government should work better as well. I don't think they have a clue at the moment: they have cut funds to Adult education centres, going to UNI is to expencive ( they have created a whole generation with debts and loans from Uni and this without even starting a family)everything is so expencive so everybody as to work really long hours, they don't have savings which effects the family structure on the whole. The NHS in London is crap one can never get appointments, worst system I have ever seen. Londoner's get together!
- M, London, 04/03/2010 11:21
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I am really frustrated with the articles (Monday & Tuesday). Would like to point out that my parents brought up two children on just over 1000 a month. Unlike those on benefits my Dad worked full time, we didn't get our rent subsidised etc... and lived on a tight budget meeting all bills and some of my parents debts which they are still paying off. I worked hard at school, got 10 GCSEs, 5 Alevels and self financed my way through university. Wondering how many chances... this guy let slip.
Don't even get me started on the woman with 11 kids...if she cant even afford the basics why have they got sky? Or even still 11 children? And I bet they have a latest TV as is often the case. And to quote another comment this was self inflicted maybe she should have used contraception (the pill is free) and controlled her lifestyle.
These articles just highlight the number of people abusing the system, while the taxpayers and those that work hard for a living pick up the bill. It completely overshadows the real people that need our help, such as those mentioned yesterday (children in care homes following abuse).
- Emma, London, 04/03/2010 11:19
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we can all do our bit to help poverty in this country. but we must dig deep in our pockets i work for a charity and we have been promised government funds from labour after the election so lets all vote labour and make a difference . we owe these children so much for our past history and mistakes.
- Jilly Summers, london, 04/03/2010 11:13
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Why didn't the Standard run a campaign on genuinely needy cases, such as long-term homeless sleeping on the streets? I have nothing but compassion for people like that, but I WILL NOT GIVE A PENNY to irresponsible idiots like the woman with 11 children who do nothing but leach off our benefits system. What more does she want anyway? It sounds like she is as happy as a pig in ****!
- Sarah Bradshaw, Enfield, Middx, 04/03/2010 11:07
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Erm, I'm still trying to work out how this young man could not afford the application fee of £19.
Even if he's on job seekers allowance, he could put a few pounds aside for it.
I do however, wish him all the best and am touched by the kind-hearted people who have helped him.
- Victoria, London, 04/03/2010 10:53
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Good luck to you Vince - but really even if a young guy like Vince had a bankers bonus would he want to spend it going to overpriced Conran like Islington restaurants! I don't think so - enjoy your study and your life you don't need a fortune to do so.
- Patricia, London, 04/03/2010 10:44
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What a ludicrous campaign. If it was April 1st I would completely understand it. Why are people on these boards feeling sorry for this guy and as for the people claiming it brought tears to their eyes - they perhaps need some psychiatric help. Please would people get a reality check. Poverty is when you have no food, no running water, no electricity. Poverty is not when you cannot afford the theatre or restaurants. As for not affording £19 - do me a favour.
- Andrew, St. John's Wood, London, 04/03/2010 10:16
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To Dan from London and Frank from Copenhagen - you are both talking utter codswallop suggesting people with unfashionable postcodes get discriminated against in the recruitment process. It is the most bonkers thing I have ever heard and I would imagine there were other reasons you found it hard to get work, maybe your paranoia was obvious to the interviewers for example?
- Zoe Fisher, BETHNAL GREEN, 04/03/2010 09:49
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An utterly laughable campaign. I particularly enjoyed your one-sided collection of responses in last night's edition and the editorial proclaiming the campaign had received a "hearteningly" warm response – despite the fact that hundreds of posters on this site have roundly derided it.
Nobody could care less about these scroungers.
- Kieran, Hemel Hempstead, 04/03/2010 09:48
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Evening Standard - you are priceless!
First you give us the feckless unmarried mother of 11 children and now you give us an unemployed 19 y.o. layabout who's watched too many re-runs of High School Musical.
What gem have you got for us tomorrow?
- Richard, London, 04/03/2010 09:10
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Vincent cant afford the UCAS fee?
Diddums, get a job like the rest of us...
- Lee, London, 04/03/2010 08:44
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The definition of "poverty" now is never having gone to a restaurant or to the theatre? Give me a break! What, is expensive entertainment going to be a "human right"? I can't go to either because I can't afford them (despite working full time) but I don't consider myself living in poverty! The lunatics have definitely taken over the asylum if people think a fit young man is to be pitied for not having enough handouts to afford things that, in my day, only rich old people could afford. Go to the park, play football, run, there are 1,000s of things he can do to entertain himself for goodness sake without relying on other people to subsidise expensive amusements.
- Fanta, London UK, 04/03/2010 06:51
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Sorry??? This guy lives in Upper Street, Islington? What's going on? That's quite a nice part of London. I wonder what someone genuinely in poverty in Africa would think of that?
- Dd, Auckland NZ, 04/03/2010 02:12
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Viva La Revolution!
Vincent your story touched me in a way my cynical heart never thought possible - Good Luck at uni & all the best for the future x
- Lh, London, England, 04/03/2010 01:31
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We are back to the time when time stood still for the poor, so you think this is only happening in London? If only we would not judge and just educate and help those who cannot help themselves. This could be one of our children. Thank you Evening Standard for highlighting these painful issues. Rather than become a blamer, my family and I are going to take steps to help.
- Pm, Lewisham, London, 04/03/2010 00:38
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I moved to London from the North of England at age 20. Endured the squalor of Kings Cross and Finsbury Park sharing rooms and not eating out, I never asked for handouts and got through a computer school quickly, and, a job within a matter of months. This was many years ago, when there was another recession, have things really got so bad, recently? I did several stints as a barman and labourer, to get by, while studying in London.
- Bill, Fremont, California, 03/03/2010 23:48
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Entry level job earning £50 a day!!! I have a good degree, years of work experience and I am still finding it difficult to get permanent work after being made redundant from a well paid job last year. I'm currently temping earning just that. Even though it's less than half what I used to earn...I'm not too proud and you do what you have to but please! Poverty!!! I paid for my education from the age of 16 by working 2 or 3 menial jobs just so I could afford a £19 UCAS fee, my school materials and rent. I bet that lad still has a flat screen tv, ipod and the latest clothing. He lives in Upper Street for goodness sake. I couldn't even afford a urine soaked bedsit in Upper Street. Evening Standard I am appalled at your attempts to tug on the heartstrings of the rich and idiotic who fall for such shameless propaganda!
- Jo, London, 03/03/2010 22:24
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I was reading this on the tube home and aside from the sadness that such poverty should exist in this day and age, it occured to me that people in these difficulties would be prime beneficiaries of things like freecycle if it were not for the fact that they are simply not online. People with material things are recycling them in good faith but are unable to give things to people who are the most deserving and needy because the distribution channel simply isn't there. Perhaps an enterprising charity could become that distribution channel? It wouldn't solve all the problems outlined of the real need of the dignity of work and the ability of society to properly deal with poverty taking it outside of the political agenda, but it might solve some of the material things like having a cot for your baby.
- Marc, Essex, 03/03/2010 21:56
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Reading this piece beought tears to my eyes.
A student of middlesex niversity myself and been a migrant of less than 5years in the uk, i kind of could relate to vincents story of deprivation.
At the time i was going to apply to university, i did not understand a lot of things, i just understood that after university, the normal progression would be to go to the university.
You wouuld really not expect that this kind of tale could be told by a london boy.
My initial thought would have been that this country is a very much welfare based country.
I think that the welfare of the people are not being looked after properly, in the sense that attention is being paid to the areas that really matter.
The government may infact be spending money in the wrong area.
I am also well suprised that vincent, as is expected by our very stereotypical mainstream society would have turned to crime.I comment him greatly for not.He infact deserves recomendation for this.If i am allowed to say this,and vincent if you read this.I am really proud of you and would also like to advice that this is just the begining of the sucess story for you.Get into middlesex, make the best grades possible and make this an all the way success story.
You have done well so far, your best is yet to come.
What i am scared of is the fact that there is not just vincent, there are many others like vincent, however how many young ones like vincent are strong enough to stay on the right path
I wish you sucesss!
- Motunrayo Olaotan, Hackney,London, 03/03/2010 21:10
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I used to work on Upper Street as a kitchen porter. Most of the kitchen staff in fancy Upper Street restaurants are migrants who live in slums north of Islington such as Wood Green, Seven Sisters, Tottenham. They look with fury at people who can afford to live there even though they play no role in the economic life of the area. People who's rent is paid from taxes of the working poor only because of their 'local connection' and their 'human rights'. Human rights not extended to economic migrants who keep this city going working for peanuts, paying landlord's mortgage, treated like dirt by everyone and blamed for the situation they are a victim of.
And do not tell me that "they steal our jobs". If you really think that employers give preference to migrants try getting a job in France or Germany. The only reason so many migrants find work in London is that no one else wants to work (and work hard) for the minimum wage. Make the native population dependent on work rather than on benefits/council housing/other freebies and the problem of immigration will solve itself.
- Jacob, London, 03/03/2010 18:33
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This campaign is meant to be ironical isn't it? A big joke in bad taste? Yesterday we had a lass with 11 children, born to 5 fathers over 25 years, 'struggling' on the £38000 p.a. of benefits - a sum that consumes the income tax and NI paid by 5-7 average taxpayers. Today we have a thoroughly nice lad (I'm sure)who is short of £19 for an application form to study dance. Nothing is said about him having struggled to find work (3.5 hours at McDonalds would cover it), nor about how he proposes to support himself whilst at university...
- David, London, 03/03/2010 18:30
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It's not easy as everyone thinks-huh get a job, in this damn country. all the jobs have disappeared, there is no jobs. 'British jobs for british workers'- you can throw that in the bin, ive applied to asda, tesco, even macdonalds, and over 50 applaications, ive even applied for a job as a cleaner.
- Patrick Bateman, terminator, 03/03/2010 18:28
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Firstly wish to thank Prince William in taking the effort.And for attempting to make a difference in the lives of the needy ,helpless ...!
Secondly I wish to thank all ,who responded to the Prince's call and contributed in their own way..and for acknowleding him in his humanitarian efforts.
- P.Grace Perinpanayagam, Colchester, United Kingdom, 03/03/2010 18:25
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Perhaps you forgot the part about him applying for 32 jobs? His African name and unfashionable postcode probably did not help as much as if he had been called John Smith from N10. Dan, London.
Are you all there Dan ? since when was Upper Street an unfashionable postcode ? there are HUNDREDs of bars, shops and restaurants within staggering distance of where Danny boy lives rent free thanks to us. If you can't find a job round here you are pond life. I live not even a hundred yards from this workshy dancer waiting for opportunity to knock and pass loads of cards in windows offering work all the time.
- Squiz, Islington, 03/03/2010 18:19
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No Dan, London-I did not forget that he applied for 32 jobs or his African name and unfashionable postcode.
Frank-Copenhagen, Denmark reply
I use to live in the Elephant & Castle, also an unfashionable post code when applying for jobs.
I also have a very foreign unfashionable last name but
none of this stopped me from applying for jobs even though I knew some people would discriminate against
my surname and my postal code.
The difference is I have a PMA(Positive Mental Attitude).
- Desiree, London UK-500+ applicants are also applying
for each job here in Denmark as reported in the Danish
press. For your information the recession is global.
I have also lost my job recently but I am applying for
lots of jobs. In the last two weeks I have applied for
560jobs & I have not found work yet. Am I giving up. NO.
- Frank, Copenhagen, Denmark, 03/03/2010 18:18
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We hear about the woman with 11 children by five different men. She is given £7 per child by us. I see she has a TV, Sky sub and spends £20 a week on phones. Wonderful. I spend £30 per month on mine. Tghis is ignorant self inflicted poverty. I could only afford two children.
- Michael, London, UK, 03/03/2010 18:12
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This Vincent looks a little overweight for dancing are you certain of all the facts,!!!
- Davey_Bouy, Chertsey, 03/03/2010 17:41
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I thought I had a reasonable life until I read about some of the cases featured. I now realise that when we were young, living on Unox Pork Luncheaon meat; walking to work to save on fares, and washing bedlinen by hand; we was dispossessed. Had we known that then we might have applied for a council house instead of saving every spare penny towards buyingsomething of our own. I did get luncheon vouchers, and would save them for 3 or 4 months, so I could treat my husband to a Berni's Inn meal. The waiters would look in disgust as we counted, 24, 25 ,26 luncheon vouchers. We waited 7 seven years after we got married to have our first child, when we were able to support her. Oh! to have known then that we were dispossessed.
- Beatriz, London, 03/03/2010 17:26
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Dear Evening Standard,
I am meant to care for a woman that has 11 kids, that lives of the state?
Your having a joke.
I work so I cannot get any help with housing, I work so I do not get my income topped up.
As for Williams views on the London poor, I am sure it is nice for him to look down into from his lovely his persition, he would not know a real days work if it slapped him round the face.
The royals, cost us too much money as it is. Get rid of them or put them on 24 hour cctv we pay for them so lets see their lives.
I have worked for everything I got no GCSES but I have worked hard.
I dont think these people are the poor of london they are the lasy that we the readers pay for..
- Mark London, london, 03/03/2010 17:22
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What is going on here???? as I said yesterday...I'm a lone parent bringing up two boys...live in Chelsea..yes Chelsea and I work damn hard to provide for the three of us..no didn't go out to restaurants or go to the theatre when my boys were younger and even now that they're older I still can't afford to go out very often due to the amount of damn tax and insurance been taken but hey am I complaining??? why don't these people do like i've done and my eldest son has done!!! get off their lazy butts and work ....I really can't believe what the Standard is printing here, so disappointed as I'm sure there are people who really do deserve some help.
- Sarah, London, chelsea, 03/03/2010 16:59
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Vincent you need a reality check,dance aint going to put food on the table or pay your bills,MCDONALDS IS HIRING
- Caesar, ealing,london, 03/03/2010 16:50
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Chantelle, London - I couldn'y agree with you more. It must be really hard for Vincent living on Upper STreet - what a horrible part of London and poor Vincent is not able to eat in a restaurant or go to the theatre. I did not go to either before the age of 30 because it is a LUXURY - it is not an example of poverty or deprivation. Extremely disappointed in the ES for supporting this although at present they are supporting anything anti government.
- Andrew, St. John's Wood, London, 03/03/2010 16:29
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Disposessed, my posterior !
Cut benefits to nothing and see who floats, thats evolution.
- Madmax, London, UK
I hate to say this but,do you know what Max? i really really hope you lose your source of income, and your home, and have no one to turn to. Maybe then you will gain some kind of humanity which you are obviously lacking.
- Kh, London UK, 03/03/2010 16:25
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This ES campaign is truly comical. My colleagues and I are wondering what irresponsible, feckless parasite you are going to unearth next and ask us to sympathise. Your biggest mistake is to assume we are all like you; white middle-class socialists from privileged backgrounds. No, many of us come from working-class backgrounds. No doubt you would have label us ‘disadvantaged’. We took responsibility for our own lives and worked hard to obtain a reasonable quality of life. There is a wealth of opportunities in this city. Get out of your Fulham townhouse and visit some towns in the North and Scotland. These are the people that need investment.
Ironically, you the left-wing Media, are partly responsible for the social breakdown and the underclass with your support for socialist policies, indiscipline in education and the ever expanding Welfare Fishing Net. Then you undermine these people even more with your support for mass immigration, just so you can get your house cleaned cheaply and you can eat out at a bigger variety of restaurants. As ever, you are out of touch with the common people.
- D, N London, 03/03/2010 16:23
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Disposessed, my posterior !
Cut benefits to nothing and see who floats, thats evolution.
- Madmax, London, UK, 03/03/2010 15:56
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I would love to know how long all the people on here saying vicent should get a job have been at their current employers. We suffered a large number of redundancies at my workplace and many of those people still haven't found jobs a year later, not in their chosen profession as surveyor, but anything, as many have families to support... Everyone seems to have forgotten the recession and dire economy we're experiencing at the moment.
I'm 27, the youngest in the first generation of my family to be born here, and whilst none of us have had to experience living on benefits or poverty, I'm very mindful of the fact that despite the parents choices (11 kids, teenage mum, whatever) those kids will be the ones supporting the economy when I'm old, so how about we stop venting at the parents? seriously, since when were children responsible for the actions of their parents? we should do our best to ensure they have the best future possible, even if their parents aren't the ones to provide it.
- Sarah, London UK, 03/03/2010 15:55
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Nick the Met police officer has hit the nail on the head, those who have so much should feel shabby, politicians especially they have power to change this, deprivation in our capital city can only be bad for everyone however rich they are. This effects everyone some way even if we do not exactly agree what poverty is. Whoever you are you could be mugged tonight by someone so desperate for money to eat or for drugs. We have all sat back and allowed society to come to this, I have no time for spongers either, I live on minumin wage but don't consider myself living in poverty at all. But the problem will still be there unless action is taken, give them any job rather then dole money and get some pride in your life.
- Dave, Totland Bay, 03/03/2010 15:53
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Its rather unfortunate that this country is built on a class system. Where basic things like sports, e.g Tennis , Rugby swimming, group activities, scouts etc.. are only constantly available to the wealthy.This is also reflected in the education system and all. If alot of these activities were readily available to youngsters and help them realise their capabilities and a sense of belonging in society. We could develop a nation of aspiring and community focused youth.People that would contribute positively in the future.It takes a community to raise a child!
- Olly, London, 03/03/2010 15:49
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Alright please please tell me this is all a joke and the Standard is taking the mickey...right?
- Gary, London, 03/03/2010 15:48
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@Dan
Althogh I went to a back street primary school in a deprived area, I went to managed to pass the 11 plus and get into grammar school and the I went to polytechnic to study for city and guilds on day release because my parents couldn't afford to send me to university. I worked from the age of 16 and I think I've tried bloody hard. I never once held my hand out or bemoaned my lot.
These people are NOT disposessed or living in poverty. And as for your remarks tacitly alleging racism, I shall treat them with the contempt they deserve.
- Malcolm, London, 03/03/2010 15:47
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whoever thought up the idea of putting a woman with 11 children by 5 fathers up as an example of the disspossed, immediately alienated me and thousands more from your cause. Why not give a 2 full page spread to someone deserving of our pity. You are encouraging people to think this is ok and that it's not their fault. Shame on the journalists responsible. made me fume with anger.
- John, lodon, 03/03/2010 15:45
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The people you have highlighted so far are not the "disposessed" rather, they are the lazy, feckless, ignorant parasites that our society would be well rid of.
- Jane Bewick, London, 03/03/2010 15:05
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Now it is time for these individuals to deal with the consequence of their action , I come from a working class family so If I achieved a decent education, a good job, of course they can. It is a matter of sacrifice and fight to achieve your goals.
- Monica Garcia, London, 03/03/2010 14:59
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Maybe Vincent Maduabueke could get a job to pay for the application fee or is that too much to ask? I work full time and go to school in the evening, why? Because thats what i have to do to get by and ensure i complete college. It's no different for others who do not have the luxury of paid college and / or still live at home. I would like to do many things, but what i want and what i get are two very different things. People have to be responsible for their own life and actions. There are too many sit around having a pity party for themselves and not making one bit of effort, they also cause a large part of their current situation(s).
- Porky Pies, Land of make Believe, UK, 03/03/2010 14:39
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Where is the government while all this is going on ?
I'm sure they should be involved somewhere.
- Davey_Bouy, Chertsey, 03/03/2010 14:31
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If you can't get a job and make a living when you live in central london then you need to take a good long look at yourself. Someone needs to tell these people how lucky they are.
- Jules_London, london, 03/03/2010 14:27
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"If Vincent really wanted to study dance at university, then he would have found himself a job to pay for the £19 UCAS application fee"
Perhaps you forgot the part about him applying for 32 jobs? His African name and unfashionable postcode probably did not help as much as if he had been called John Smith from N10.
Malcolm, whether you deserve sympathy or not depends on whether you are a tryer. Vincent clearly is.
- Dan, London, 03/03/2010 14:27
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Are these people for real who were touched by these stories? The comments on each story suggest the majority of Londoners are sceptical of the ES's examples of so-called poverty.
- Chantelle, London, 03/03/2010 14:22
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Yet again its the middle and working class Londoners digging deep,while the rich stand by and shout shame.
- Dave, london, 03/03/2010 14:16
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Pretty fair comments on these boards and I would tend to agree. This article and this idea that we should all help out and do something completely ignores the real issue. Like so many western countries the real problem, which has been going on for the past 20-30 years, is the breakdown of the family unit and the support that itn offers. We need to look at this issue and stop putting proverbial sticky plasters on large gaping wounds.
- Andrew, St. John's Wood, London, 03/03/2010 14:15
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In response to Frank's comment
This is London,NOT Denmark.Most people who are out of work cannot find a job for love nor money.Not through a lack of trying,however,with about 500 applicants per job (even for the most menial jobs),it's ludicrous to suggest that Vincent could go out and get a job just like that,that is not the reality.I am thrilled to hear that he can now apply directly to the Middlesex university,and wish him the very best of luck.
- Desiree, London UK, 03/03/2010 14:03
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Sorry, but highlighting that mother who's had eleven children from five different fathers and expecting us to feel sorry for her is a bit much. If she's worried about not being able to feed her children why does she keep having them!
- Derek, London, London, 03/03/2010 13:59
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I agree with the above comments and would like to suggest sex education and condoms to help those with 11children to "5" different men. A condom could prevent unplanned children and 11people living in such a small home on benefits.
We all need to be responsible adults, whether we are living in poverty or not.
wake up and be sensible people!
- Karen, London, 03/03/2010 13:55
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This article is making me fizz with anger. Yes there are dispossessed and yes there is poverty, but 11 kids from 5 men is self-inflicted. What happened to morals, contraception (which is free by the way) and the fathers of the kids? Also, Jaydine can't afford a cot, but if the rectangular shape in her back pocket is anything to go by, she can afford fags. A few packs of fags equals a cot. What examples to give!
- Sue, London England, 03/03/2010 13:48
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I haven't been to a west end theatre or eaten in restaurant for years either, nor can I afford to go to university to study for a degree.
I was brought up in a run down part of the Isle of Dogs and I had to share a bed with my brother. My house was knocked down to make way for one of the bright and shiny skyscrapers that are called docklands.
Does that make me a deserving case for sympathy and philanthopy?
Please help me realise my dream.
I think I know the kind of response this letter will get.
And quite rightly so.
- Malcolm, London, 03/03/2010 13:32
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Well done to Middlesex University. This has brought a tear to my eye this lunchtime. I got a great free state education including university and I know that is the reason I am where I am today.
- Mikkiduk, Hackney, London., 03/03/2010 13:15
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At £38,844 Barbara gets more in benefits than my husband earns in a year, working for the NHS in London as a manager.
Black leather school shoes can be bought at Marks and Spencer for £27, I checked. Barbara CHOSE to have eleven children. If she wasn't watching Sky at the taxpayers' expense she would easily be able to afford the shoes out of the £40-50 a month she spends on Sky. She also spends £20 per week on telephones, plural.
And where is the CSA in all this ? Why is the oldest (working) son not helping his mother out instead of letting teachers pay for shoes?
- Fay, Folkestone, Kent, 03/03/2010 13:09
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What about all the absentee fathers contributing nothing in terms of money or help?
- Jmarsden, Taunton,UK, 03/03/2010 13:09
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If Vincent really wanted to study dance at university, then he would have found himself a job to pay for the £19 UCAS application fee, just like many other students
who also attend the same university. Why should he be any different to other students, many of whom have come
from impoverished backgrounds too.
Jaydine-give up fags or cut back on them. The savings you make will buy you a second hand cot which you can buy
from local classified adverts, or on-line auctions, etc.If you can't afford a paper then go to the library where they will have the same papers for free.
What you need to do is not give these people a non-stop free lunch / hand out every time they need something otherwise it becomes an addiction and you don't do them any favors because they will never break the mold unless they are taught how to fish so they can feed themselves and their family but give them a fish and you feed them only for a day. The problem won't go away until you teach them how to fend for themselves, train them, motivate them, get them to clean the streets and earn an honest wage.
- Frank, Copenhagen, Denmark, 03/03/2010 13:07
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Oh please - give me a break!
- Stephen, London, 03/03/2010 12:55
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To bankers Sam and Natalie -- what version of London do you inhabit not to realise that there is squalor in this city? You don't leave your glass (ivory) towers much I take it? I'd be embarrassed to have the paper print such a naive quote. Having said that, it is NOT poverty nor is it dispossession to not be able to afford to eat in an Islington restaurant or buy a theatre ticket. When I was 19 I certainly couldn't afford those things either, but I would hardly claim this was poverty.
- Alex, London, 03/03/2010 12:52
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