About The Sock Mob

The Sock Mob came about as a result of a group of friends sickened at the sight of poverty, hunger and alienation on the streets of a city oozing with money and alleged Western sophistication. Frustrated with what we saw as political apathy on the issue, and not wishing to conform to any set group agenda, we thought, what the hell - let's just do it ourselves. So we started walking around London, talking with and listening to the hundreds of homeless people who pass through and live in the city each year. And we were amazed at the incredibly open responsiveness we got - people just love the fact that we're 'freelance', not pushing any agenda but simply there to offer warm human contact and allow people to be themselves, just as they are.

Over time as we grew in number, and hope to expand still further, we realised we needed a name, a 'brand' for our unique non-agenda-driven, wholly independent, grassroots movement... so we asked the homeless people themselves how they saw us... and found out that several of them referred to us as the 'sock ladies'! (This was before we had our many lovely men on board). So we decided to play with this idea and, after the awful puns stopped flying around ('Socks and the City' anyone?), came up with The Sock Mob. While everyone needs socks, our street friends' surprised, happy reactions when we whip 'em out tell us that this isn't something most people think to give, bogged down as they are by images of homeless people just wanting money to fund their next hit. So calling ourselves The Sock Mob symbolises the uniqueness of our free-thinking, non-judgemental nature, and acceptance of our homeless friends as people with both feet and feelings.

There is no rigid framework to our walks. While we have a range of routes that we've familiarised ourselves with over the years, the walk is an entirely flexible, fluid activity dependent on the personalities of the walkers and the homeless who come together, meaning that each week is different to the last. We're always open to change in terms of time and location to accommodate as many walkers as possible, and are interested in any new ideas people have to build upon what we do. Walkers are also free to join in as and when they can, with no pressure - some come every week, some twice a year - to ensure that people only come because they really want to. This, as well as the fact that we're not a formal group of any kind, keeps the walk 'pure' and free of any externally legitmising constraints that might otherwise inhibit the intimacy, deep-rooted trust and free-thinking spirit inherent to what we do.

What to bring on the walks:

Yourselves!

And if you can (although there is no pressure), any of the following:

 Food (sandwiches, fruit, biscuits, crisps, cakes, hot stuff - you name it)
 Drinks - either hot in a thermos or cold, juice etc
 Socks
 Clothes - anything is welcome but jumpers/coats/trousers especially so in winter!
 Underwear
 Shoes/trainers/boots
 Toothbrushes
 Razors
 Combs
 Tissues
 Sanitary towels/tampons
 Toiletries - toothpaste, shower gel, deodorant, soap, shampoo
 Books/newspapers/magazines

And anything else you can think of that people might need or like.

Many thanks to Paul who very kindly donated one of his meetups to set this one up!

Ultimately, our aim is to show just what can be accomplished by doing something as simple as giving someone who's having a hard time a pair of socks and the opportunity to be oneself, unjudged and appreciated. The people struggling on the streets of London are living, breathing, laughing, eating, drinking and sleeping human beings like any others, as opposed to stereotypically subversive, anti-social street objects. We challenge you to come and find this out for yourselves.

No agenda. No strings attached. No pressure.

Let's show London what friends 'just walking around' can do.