An estate agent from Weymouth is calling for a change in people’s perceptions after sleeping 31 days homeless.
Robert Wilson, a partner at Wilson Tominey Group in Dorset, slept on the London streets in January to see first-hand what it was like for those sleeping rough in the city.
“I couldn’t go through any more of my life without it being purposeful,” he explained. “Seeing people sit there, being ignored – I don’t like loneliness for people.”
For 31 days, 51-year-old Wilson, known as Wilf, endured what was a scary experience, especially on the first night, but said he had no regrets.
“Dark, cold, and noisy. I was scared,” he confessed.
Wilf got to know other people living rough in central London, some of which he bonded with.
“There was camaraderie,” he said. “You could choose where and how much you wanted to fit in. There are many social layers in this part of our community.”
He told Somerset Live that he spent nights in parks, under railway bridges, along canals, and on major streets. Each location had its own risks. Some places, like Hampstead Heath, offered solace in nature. Others, like Tottenham Court Road, tested his ability to stay vigilant – especially when someone attempted to steal his belongings in the early hours.
“Between 1am and 5am was when the ‘night crawlers’ were most dangerous,” he explained. “You learned to manage yourself accordingly.”
Safety was a constant concern. In Regent’s Park, he and a fellow rough sleeper were surrounded by a group of eight men speaking in a language he did not understand, their intentions unclear. Soho proved particularly dangerous.
Wilf found comfort in the homeless community he found himself in.
“It is arguably a closer community than the one we live in,” he says. “In a way, it can be admired.”
Wilf told the press that he experienced first-hand the range of human reactions to homelessness; he often felt ignored and judged by passers-by.
“A smile feeds you,” he explained. “Three smiles in a row can carry you.”
Kindness, he found, had a point system of sorts. “A smile—three points. Some words—ten points. Physical contact—twenty points. Eye-to-eye contact and sincerity? That’s something else entirely.”
He was grateful for the moments of generosity that he said left a lasting impact. But there were also stark reminders of how society views the homeless. He explained one of the biggest misconceptions he encountered was “that they’re past helping,”
He added: “That because they’re at the low end of society, their intelligence, character, and values match. It’s not true. Many of them are articulate, well-versed in politics, and deeply aware of the world.”
After 31 days, Wilf returned home. The transition wasn’t as simple as stepping back into his old life.
“Overwhelming—for both guilt and relief,” he admitted. “I felt like a con artist, like I’d let people down. I left the cause.”
The experience left Wilf determined to help those sleeping rough, and he has set-up a fundraising page, which has so far raised more than £4,600. You can make a donation by clicking here.
