At some point or another we've all seen a homeless person on our way to work and felt an incredibly saddening feeling. We want to help, but it's not always possible.
On the days when you do have enough change to buy them a coffee you can feel good after doing so, yet in the grand scheme of things it's only a small yet admirable gesture. Mostly we just feel sorry for them and simply hope that they can get their life back on track.
Luckily, it does happen.
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A CCTV camera managed to capture footage showing a homeless man celebrating in the street after getting a job.
Leaving Central RPL, a window supplier in West Bromwich, his first week's wages in his pocket, a signed permanent contract and a the prospect of a great life ahead of him, he punches the air and skips across the road.
Credit: Caters
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"It might seem like nothing to most, but this guy has really won me over," Aaron Doyle, who posted the video and works at Central RPL, said. "His reaction as he left was absolutely priceless.
"He is currently staying at a shelter in Wolverhampton and wants to get back on his feet.
"He started at work on a trial basis to see how he got on, and if he made a good impression he would be given a permanent position."
Despite not having a penny to his name during his trial period at the company, Aaron says that when he came into work he'd offer him some coffee and food which he was given by a church.
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"Taking into account he doesn't know where his next meal is coming from and doesn't eat the best, every single morning he offers me a chocolate bar or some of his coffee," he said.
Credit: Caters
It has been estimated that around 185,000 people a year are affected by homelessness in England alone. For many of those, it is a situation that is extremely difficult to escape. 86 percent of homeless people report suffering some kind of mental health disorder and the homeless die 30 years younger than the average life expectancy.
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On Twitter, Londoner Craig Stone recounted the series of events that caused him to lose his home, his experiences of being homeless and how he eventually managed to find permanent housing. He explained exactly what was happening in his life before he lost his house, saying he was almost 30 years old, working in the city and was skint, single and suffering from depression.
His landlord increased his rent to a figure he couldn't afford, prompting him to ask work for a pay rise. He was refused. Craig then went to his local council for help, who turned him away.
"I asked the council for help, they said talk to my landlord. My landlord said talk to the council. Bastards," wrote Stone on Twitter.
Here's his story and a few calls to action for people.
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Speaking to Mashable, he said: "Tomorrow your rent could go up. Tomorrow inflation could rise. Tomorrow you could have an accident. All of us are one event away from ending up on the streets, looking up at passers by, wondering how did it come to this?
"Christmas is coming up, and it's OK to give someone your time. And it's OK to ask someone on the streets their story. If you ask enough, you'll realise that the person you are talking to, is you."
Two heart warming stories.
Whatever your situation, you're not alone. Let's talk about it. Shelter wants to help. Visit http://www.shelter.org.uk/ initially, or if your problem is urgent call the helpline on 0808 800 4444 or drop into one of its face-to-face services.
Featured Image Credit: CatersTopics: Homelessness, Homeless