Sleeping Rough (1)

PART 1 OF 2
Could you be happy and homeless?
21-year-old reporter Dan Howell travels to London to get a glimpse of what it's like to live on the streets.
The man he's come to meet is Jay Scottsmith, a Big Issue seller who claims to have a different take on being homeless in the capital - he's happy.
Over three days, Dan learns how to make a bed out of cardboard boxes and how to keep his spirits up when the rain comes - all while trying to get a little deeper into Jay's world and understand if the 57-year-old is truly content with the life he's chosen.
Produced for/commissioned by/broadcast on: Danmarks Journalisthøjskole (November 2009)
Reporter: Dan Howell
Producer/Director/Editor: Dan Howell, Zurine Jalon, Ly Aunapu
Music: Greg Williams
Duration: 07:52
Get more from Dan Howell at about.me/danhowell

[@JennyHighley]

A completely un-biased glimpse into the life of this homeless man. I'm sure its very different to a lot of people's stories though. Excellent video. Looking forward to watching part 2!

[@KikkiK89]

May all be blessed with safety, security, warm homes, food, may there be justice, generosity, truth, love and light and peace. May there be a bright future for people. May there be abundance and wellbeing for all people.

[@shaunmichaelmctigue4363]

What a nice guy I really hope this guy does well good luck to you my friend I really mean that good luck to you❗

[@sammywinchester9304]

He just being homeless for so long he don't remember how to live anyother way god bless him 😢

[@focusfanactic]

Godbless to all of these people on the streets through all kinds of weather it breaks my heart seeing the animals with them aswell as I am a animal lover excuse my language but Cameron wake the FUCK up and help all these people in someway

[@pauliether.c.guy.3349]

Do you know what I’ve been homeless for five years and I lived in a shelter in Brooklyn New York is absolutely the worst. Because if you don’t watch stuff it gets stolen I had five cell phone stolen off me yup that’s right five cell phone stone of me is I’m an idiot. Now looking at this guys cardboard house which I’m going to be very honest with you and you people they don’t look too bad not too shabby I’ll take that cardboard house over any shelter that I came from hands-down

[@angusmeigh5141]

I remember that guy who used to sell the Big Issue on Waterloo Bridge. I used to see him a lot. He hasn't been around for years though.

[@rainbowrose9299]

Thank God for Jesus

[@abc-ni9uw]

Jesus is bollerks

[@ukgreaterlondon]

love everyone like you love yourself if you do wrong to others just remember you are no better than the one who does wrong to you UNLESS IT IS SEVERE. i want to work but i need to work in the job i want to do, noone cares i won't make friends with special needs i live in a one floor house payed by the council, my family don't want to guide me into finding work i have no friends who can guide me me into finding work, demonic christ is coming back and i need to be work before i am put into camps.

[@Susannah50]

Just seen James and street cat Bob at 4:22

[@rainbowrose9299]

you have a special need that guy who is saying dont be friends with anyone with special needs

[@annbacon3768]

James Bowen and Street Cat Bob before their million seller books @4:22!!!

[@RubyMarkLindMilly]

In today's modern Britain no one should be on the streets or hungry it's a national disgrace

[@dragonfitter]

there but for the grace of god go i

[@jeffreyedwards767]

Cold London rain ○•°•○•°

[@rainbowrose9299]

dirty is that all she could say

[@Mistwalker67]

Its rough I can tell you.

[@autumnwilliams8021]

Like he says, he's happy. So why are you trying to help him? He is exactly where he wants to be so just leave him alone to get on with it. He doesn't want any help so give the help to somebody who does really need and want it.

[@blablabla2530]

is a new social disease among soldiers in many country's, lossing tough with the world, in combination with alchol abuse. if you have a sleeping back to spare donate or socks. i lived on a allotment for a couple of years and broke the cycle.

[@richierottweiler923]

Bla blabla, real talk. I’ll always give to homeless because i myself spent most of the naughties sleeping rough in Leeds

[@iansettle7764]

I find it really strange that the first guy has been on the street so long, he's got the basic mentality of every working person i mean he doesn't even beg, he likes to eat in the same cafe each day it just seems his attitude is actually wrong for the streets, hope he's doing well ✌️💚😈🇬🇧

[@VikingSimon2503]

Three days, is that it?

[@contingency9]

Poor soul. It's not right in our country!!!!!

[@marclaw4511]

A street cat named Bob was there.

[@simonyip5978]

'last year 3500 slept rough in London'? Another video had a more recent figure of 7,900+ rough sleepers in London.

[@KyrisTV]

wtf... "not into drugs or alcohol"... the guy is smoking a fucking cigarette -_- what, nicotine isn't a drug suddenly?!

[@edwardburnsen-hicks4235]

1 in 73 Homeless in Birmingham. Not as bad a prob in London. Most Dangerous city in Brit isles Birmingham.

[@kevgorry1850]

See u won't be abell to now wat its like coz u now enytime u can go get in ur car or home

[@umbrellashade]

" RULE NUMBER ONE:never run away from home, go places where you are likely to make friends with non special needs. people who have special needs they are always hating one another, if your family is always hating one another then remember ants and chimps and gorrilas tell you to be strong and ignore the hate. that is what i done i am living in a one floor house i went on medications because my family don't guide me i went in mental hospital fearing the british national party and osama binladen." Sometimes, the situation at home drives you to run away from home. In fact, I think that no-one ever runs away from home unless there is a reason to do so. It is easy to condemn anyone running away from home. Try putting yourself in the shoes of the person who ran away. You might also have run away if you had the same problems at home.

[@TheMetaphysics]

you mean, make like a tree and leave, surely.

[@MegaCaprice123]

He looks very old for his age. Forty years on the streets which could have been avoided if he worked. Sorry I have no time for the idle.

[@samanthahardy9903]

Selling the big issue is work. So how can you call him idle! When you have no fixed abode and are living on the streets nobody wants to employ you.

[@DuruttiVisca]

er ok keep taking the tablets

[@barnbersonol]

You don't like charity? You think anyone would buy Big Ish from a shop? Course they wouldn"t. Chances are, they flick through a few pages then chuck it in the nearest bin. Jay likes "fresh air" .. so he smokes. Duh.

[@rainbowrose9299]

kill the poor why would you say that. It can happen to anyone

[@mariejones5844]

Cut his scraggly beard off he'd look better wouldn't he?! Most people work then retire off of their work history.

[@abc-ni9uw]

40 years on the streets. Surely he could have made a change in his life not sleeping rough for 40 years that's bogus

[@dawnysdennumber10]

All the profits go to non Brits !!!