No One Is Safe in the Woods – Poison, Gunfire, and Makeshift Tents Have Taken Over!

Waking up to the sound of 90 mph winds and relentless rain, Franc clutched his flimsy tarpaulin shelter, a weak attempt to escape the elements. But his struggle to stay dry was in vain.

For two long years, Franc was part of a growing number of homeless individuals living in the UK countryside, setting up makeshift tents in isolated woods. His survival depended on whatever he could find, often using discarded rubbish to build stoves and drinking unsafe water. It was a harsh and dangerous life, one that took a toll on his health.

“I once mistakenly drank water run-off from a farmer’s field, ending up in the hospital,” Franc shared with *The Sun.* “This left me with weak legs, incapacitating me for weeks and draining my strength.”

The storms only added to his struggles. “There were storms with winds over 90 miles an hour, turning my tarpaulin shelter into a whipping sail. Sleep was often impossible.”

Life hadn’t always been like this for Franc. Until 2017, he had a roof over his head, but financial troubles, compounded by physical and mental health issues, led him down a spiral. Harassed by a rogue landlord, Franc reached a breaking point.

Desperate for change, he got on a second-hand bike, purchased on eBay, and embarked on a 400-mile journey from Edinburgh to London in search of a new beginning. But life in the city was no easier. Homelessness in an urban setting brought its own dangers—abuse, drugs, and run-ins with the police were constant threats. Seeking safety, he fled to the countryside, where the dangers were fewer but the challenges greater.

Despite the severe hardships, Franc managed to find ways to survive. “I found fly-tipped bricks and an old Tesco basket, which I turned into a stove, so I could cook hot food,” he said. But living in such isolation wasn’t just physically demanding; it weighed heavily on his mental health too. “The longer you ‘cope’ alone, the more entrenched, isolated, and fearful you become.”

One morning, Franc awoke to the terrifying sound of gunfire, only to realize he had unknowingly set up camp in a pheasant hunting ground during the season.

Franc’s story, unfortunately, is not unique. Rural homelessness is rising at an alarming rate. According to research from The Countryside Charity (CPRE) in December 2023, homelessness in rural areas has surged by 40% in the last five years. The situation in less populated areas is often worse than in towns and cities. Many rural homeless people find themselves without access to basic services like healthcare, employment assistance, or housing support due to a lack of transportation and infrastructure.

Organizations like Turning Tides, based in West Sussex, are working to help those like Franc who have nowhere else to turn. People sleeping rough in tents, fields, and churchyards often feel forgotten, with no one coming to their aid.

“There’s been a huge increase in rural homelessness,” said Lucy Strong, deputy homelessness services manager at Turning Tides. “Rental markets are unaffordable, and the cost of living crisis has hit hard. There’s a complete lack of affordable housing for single people.”

In rural areas, these problems are amplified. “It’s difficult to access services outside towns and cities,” Lucy added. “The chances of getting a specialist medical appointment as a homeless person in rural areas are slim to none. The services to help people just aren’t there like they are in urban areas.”

Homelessness in rural areas also comes with a stigma that makes the issue less visible. Unlike urban homelessness, where people might be seen sleeping in doorways, rural homelessness is often hidden from view, making it easier to overlook.

Another client of Turning Tides, Steve, found himself homeless after a childhood marred by addiction. Introduced to drugs at just nine years old, Steve spent his teenage years hooked on crack cocaine and cannabis. Eventually, he and his partner, unable to afford rent, found themselves sleeping rough in graveyards and car parks, trying to survive.

“The number of families on waiting lists for social housing in rural England is staggering,” said Tom Stewart, a campaigner at CPRE. “At the current rate of construction, it would take 89 years to provide homes for everyone on the waiting list.”

In response to the rise in homelessness, organizations like the Rural Homelessness Counts Coalition (RHCC) are pushing for solutions. They advocate for more affordable housing, better healthcare access, and comprehensive support services for people living in rural areas. As the crisis continues to worsen, it is clear that action is needed to prevent more people from falling into homelessness.

Franc’s story, however, offers a glimmer of hope. With the help of Turning Tides, he found not only shelter but a community. “They didn’t just give me a roof over my head; they helped me rebuild my life and my dignity,” he said. Now, Franc is part of Turning Tides’ residents’ panel, helping others who find themselves in similar situations.

His message is one of resilience and hope: “It’s never too late to change your life, no matter how dark the circumstances.”