Established 2005 Registered Charity No. 1110656

Scottish Charity Register No. SC043760

current issue

June – July 2026 : Labels READ ONLINE

RECENT TWEETS

Beyond the label

June 01 2026
Emdad (in white shirt) volunteering in London. © Emdad Rahman Emdad (in white shirt) volunteering in London. © Emdad Rahman

Why we need to start seeing the person, not the tag. Thoughts by Emdad Rahman

We are all given labels at some point in our lives. Some are harmless, some helpful. Others quietly shape how we see ourselves and how the world sees us. When those labels turn negative, repetitive and deeply personal, they don’t just describe a person. They define them, limit them, and, for many, slowly push them to the margins of society.

Nowhere is this more visible and more damaging than in the story of homelessness.

Words like “homeless,” or “addict” are often used casually, even carelessly. But behind every label is a human being with a story, a history, and a set of circumstances that rarely begin with the street. Labels can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. When someone is told often enough that they are worthless, troublesome, or beyond help, it becomes harder for them to believe anything else.

In community outreach work this pattern appears again and again. People are not born into homelessness. Many are pushed there through a combination of hardship and trauma.

Community outreach at grassroots level reflects this reality. Whether engaging with individuals on the street, supporting older people, or working with young people, the approach is simple: meet people as they are, not as they’ve been labelled. Through initiatives like food distribution, mentoring and community engagement, the emphasis is always on dignity and connection. It’s not about “fixing” people but about listening to them, restoring confidence and helping them rediscover their own value.

Labels often begin early in life. A child who is called “difficult,” or “trouble” may start to internalise that identity. At school, bullying reinforces it. At home, if there is instability or criticism, it deepens. Over time, these labels help shape a mindset and can erode mental health. By the time that child becomes an adult, the label is no longer external, it’s internal.

Jenny’s story is one of many: “I was called everything growing up: ‘useless, awkward, not good enough’. At home, at school, even by people I trusted. After a while, you just believe it. I still struggle to trust people. I move around a lot. Sometimes I end up on the streets. I want to help others, I really do, but it’s hard when your mind keeps telling you you’re not worth it.”

Her words are not dramatic, they are real. They highlight how labels don’t disappear with time – they evolve, embedding themselves into behaviour and life choices. For Jenny, homelessness is also about healing.

Research supports this lived experience. Studies in the UK suggest that a significant proportion of people experiencing homelessness have faced childhood trauma, including abuse, neglect, or sustained bullying. Mental health challenges are also disproportionately high among this group, often linked to long-term exposure to negative environments and labels. In 2014, around 80% of people sleeping rough in England reported mental health issues. Many sleeping rough still face barriers accessing consistent support. This is where the system often falls short.

Recently, in conversation with a senior politician, the issue of rough sleeping figures came up. The response was dismissive. The figures were described as inaccurate and exaggerated. It was a moment that revealed a deeper problem: not just disagreement over data, but a lack of empathy.

Public service should be rooted in understanding, compassion and responsibility. Passing the blame or questioning lived realities does not solve homelessness, it distances decision-makers from those they are meant to serve.

Solutions must go beyond surface level interventions.

Community outreach plays a vital role, offering immediate support and building a bridge between individuals and services.

A simple conversation, a moment of recognition can begin to change how someone sees themselves – it can challenge the label.

But outreach alone is not enough. Without strong partnerships with professional services, progress cannot be sustained.

People need consistent, structured support alongside community care. One without the other creates gaps where individuals fall through.

The most effective approach is joined-up. Compassion with structure. Listening with action.

We also need to challenge the language we use. Labels should not define people. By changing how we speak about homelessness, we begin to change how we respond to it.

< The Shining Golden Star Your move >
June – July 2026 : Labels

CONTENTS

BACK ISSUES
BACK TO PAGE TOP