Nestled in the heart of Oldbury town centre, just outside the Sainsbury’s wall, a homeless man sits quietly reading his Bible. Beside him lies a small container where passers-by have dropped coins throughout the day. The man, who wishes to remain anonymous, offers a polite smile and nod as shoppers generously contribute.
He shares a candid perspective on his life on the streets. “There’s nothing for me here, there’s no help whatsoever,” he admits, reflecting the challenges despite being “born and bred” in Oldbury. Pointing toward the large Sainsbury’s car park where he has slept for the past two weeks, he says, “If there was help, I wouldn’t have been sleeping on the car park for the past two weeks.”
Life on the streets has been rough. He recounts experiencing trouble, particularly from local youths who throw things and shout abuse. His current spell of rough sleeping has lasted about three and a half months, which began after he was released from jail following a domestic dispute with his former partner. “When I came out, I thought everything would be alright, but it wasn’t,” he reflects.
READ MORE: West Midlands Mayor Urges Action Against Climate Change Amid Devastating Fires
READ MORE: Morrisons pioneers AI-powered self-checkouts in UK supermarkets
His possessions are minimal: the clothes he wears, a coat on the ground, and the Bible in his hands, which he reads daily. Although he is on the housing waiting list with Sandwell Council, accommodation has yet to be offered. He checks in with council staff three times weekly, as their office is conveniently close by, and council outreach workers also visit him directly on the streets.
This is not his first experience of homelessness. During a previous period 18 months ago, he was reportedly stabbed in the head after intervening to protect an elderly woman from an attack along Soho Road in nearby Handsworth. Despite hardships, he acknowledges kindness in the community: “Some people can be nice around here. It’s like every town you go to, though, you can’t get the good without the bad, and the bad without the good.”
Just a short distance away, other locals describe a different side of life in Oldbury. A nearby pensioner, also choosing to remain anonymous, spoke warmly of her neighbourhood, highlighting local fields, friendly cats, and a supportive community. “It’s a lovely place to be,” she says, praising the nearby supermarket and pub where she recently enjoyed toast and coffee.
She acknowledges some issues, however, such as fly-tipping and litter affecting the town’s appearance. “There are cans on the wall and debris down there. It makes it look untidy,” she notes.
Mixed views accompany the recent release of Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures, which reveal overall happiness levels in Oldbury to be slightly above the national average. Locals offer varying opinions in response. One man exclaims, “At times, it is happy but not in general,” while a healthcare worker affirms, “Yes, definitely, it is a happy place,” underscoring the helpfulness within the community, especially near a local care home.
Another resident who lives near the Hagley Road border describes her area as “a nice part to live.”
According to the ONS, the UK’s average happiness rating stands at 7.4 out of 10. Sandwell, the borough encompassing Oldbury, scored slightly higher at 7.5, matching neighbouring Dudley and Wolverhampton. By contrast, Walsall scored lower at 7.3, while Birmingham came bottom in the region with 7.2.
The experiences of those in Oldbury underscore the complex reality behind these statistics - where community spirit and challenges coexist in close proximity, reflecting a multifaceted picture of life in the West Midlands.