35. Read the poem. What is it devoted to? Is the author young or adult? Are there such people on the streets of your city? Living on the street

by Jade from Wrexham

Can you imagine a night on the street, Waking at dawn with nothing to eat, The howling wind and the pouring rain, The busy streets and the loud cars that reign.

Can you imagine a few days on the street, Sleeping on the concrete with very cold feet, Thinking of food and how much you could eat, If you had it right there on the street.

Can you imagine weeks on the street, Trying to get money then fighting the creeps, Who at the dead of night, Turf you out of bed, Maybe with a knife or something else that brings dread.

Can you imagine months on the street, Thinking of home and how it used to be, Drinking hot cocoa while sitting by the fire, Whiling away the hours in any old manner.

Can you imagine years on the street, Still fighting for food, Still fighting the creeps, With nothing to say to anyone, If they would listen which they probably won't.

And I haven't mentioned the terrible noises, That come in the night when you don't want it, Creeping silently into your head and bringing on that same old dread.

Now you go out onto the street, But keep in mind my longing plea, For you to just spare a minute for me, Then when you see us ugly dossers, You may still not want to throw us coppers, But give us a smile or a friendly wave, Just to make us feel snug and brave.

36. Read the poem again and show its content in the form of a map.

wind, rain

nothing to eat

cars

Do you help the homeless? If yes, what do you do?

If you had enough money and authority what would you do for them?

37. Read the following rhyme words. Are they associated with unemployment? Make up some sentences using these words.

homelessness – hopelessness; aggression – depression; unemployed – avoid; noise – no choice; wonder – go under; night – fight; cheaper – a street sweeper; money – funny; park – dark; mind – kind; gold – cold.

38. Try to write a short poem about the homeless and unemployed. Choose the best one.

Ex.:

There was a man, who had a good job,

Who had several cars and a house superb.

He went to Bahamas

And spent there summers

And lived like a cultural snob.

But once he fell ill

And lost all his will.

And now he is unemployed.

39. What can be done to solve youth problems? Brainstorm ideas!

40. Read the following interview with an 18 year old boy whose wish is to help homeless youngsters. Describe his idea to your partner.

Youth mayor to help homeless

Terry Jones wants to set up a dedicated hotline offering advice to homeless youngsters in the area.

The 18-year-old said improvements to the current service are vital to help young people.

"There are a lot of young people who have nowhere to go," he said.

Terry was elected by members of Bridgend youth council, which is made up of 14 to 25-year-olds from different backgrounds.

"During my time as youth mayor I want to focus on this problem mainly because I have had problems with it myself."

"I'm living in supported housing now but before that I was a 'sofa surfer' - sleeping in friends' houses."

"There is a big problem in the area."

"Lots of young people are sleeping in friends' houses and the problem is worse for boys."

He said that boys were not seen as a priority for housing and that many were often forced to sleep rough because they had no where to go.

"It is quite annoying because there are a lot of properties which are boarded up and yet there are people sleeping rough," said Terry, who moved to Bridgend from his home city Birmingham.

He said that he plans to meet with housing officials later in the summer to discuss the problem and find ways of helping tackle the issue.

Terry, currently unemployed and a keen rapper in his spare time, took up the voluntary post of youth mayor for Bridgend after spending time as a member of the youth council.

Bridgend Council said that it was working closely with Terry and the rest of the youth council on the issue of homelessness in the area.

It said that it recognised the need for a 24-hour helpline and for more housing to be made available.

"The council is already working with the youth mayor to identify the requirements for the 24/7 helpline," said a spokesman.

"There has been a follow-up meeting with the youth mayor and other members of the youth council to move forward on this helpline.

"Further discussions offer the opportunity to listen to the needs of young people," he added.