End
Homelessness Now
One in 250 people across the UK are currently homeless, and in London, that figure rises to one in 51. This is no longer a problem affecting just a small segment of society; families and entire communities nationwide live without stable homes.
“When my head got bad, I would put a brick through a window. I never wanted to hurt anyone, but I knew I would go to prison and be off the streets for a few months.”
“People say, ’I understand.’ No, you don’t.”
Living without a home has many faces, and our unhoused neighbours have many ways of coping. As a no-fault eviction notice is served every 8 minutes, it‘s essential to understand what that means in Britain today. Housing insecurity means living in hostels, bed and breakfasts, moving from temporary flat to temporary flat or overcrowded hotels, where residents cannot access cooking facilities. Very few of the options are safe, and most are riddled with drugs and gangs. Unsurprisingly, some would rather sleep on the streets while others commit crimes with the intention of a spell in prison to “take a holiday from the streets”.
Emergency Interventions
We work with people who have fallen through the cracks in the system for various reasons and get no support whatsoever. Sometimes these are refugees like Fereshteh, who, as a Christian, cannot return to Iran; other times, people like Allan, who has multiple disabilities, and a past that makes it difficult for him to find a place in many hostels.
By providing emergency support and advocacy, we find a safe emergency hotel while we negotiate with case officers to get them safely and properly housed.
Employment Support
The centrepiece of our work is providing real, Living-Wage work placements to those the system leaves behind. We reach communities and demographics that face the most significant barriers to employment and help them build their futures. Our placements happen throughout the year and range from big events, like our annual hamper Wrap’ N’ Packs, to our everyday operations. Our impact staff include those with histories of addiction, offending, and mental health concerns. Some come to us having fled their homes following death threats, others had been carers and hadn’t worked in thirty years.They all carried labels put on them by others, but we found something else. We see real people with real voices. Many of whom have been ignored.
Be Part of the Solution
Our trading relationships fund the work we do. We can only provide placement work through the business we generate. We are always grateful for any donations, but to help us make real, lasting change, please consider moving your office supply purchasing to us.
Just by swapping the supplies of things you would be buying elsewhere, to us, you can help save lives.
