Five Charities Helping the homeless
A host of charities across the country are working hard to make life that little bit easier for anyone dealing with homelessness and the issues it creates.
This is a feature from Issue 19 of Charitable Traveller. Click to read more from this issue.
1. The Gatehouse Oxford
Supporting adults in Oxford who are homeless, vulnerably housed, on low income and/or looking for company and community, the Gatehouse Oxford provides both sanctuary now and support for the future to the local homeless community. Running a drop-in community centre on Woodstock Road, the Gatehouse offers its free services and activities on an open-door basis, meaning people don’t need to prove anything to access its support. Activities include everything from computer access sessions and counselling, to free food and drink, shower provision and board game nights.
2. Aylesbury Homeless Action Group
Offering support and advice to anyone worried about losing their home or in unsuitable housing, Aylesbury Housing Group helps people secure appropriate accommodation and/or prevents them from becoming homeless in the first place. AHAG works towards reducing the impact that homelessness and insecure housing has on both the individual and the wider community, and does this by providing one-to-one advice sessions, a weekly benefits surgery, mental health support and a pilot legal clinic.
3. Single Homeless Project
A London-wide charity, the Single Homeless Project works towards its vision – of a society where everyone has a place to call home and the chance to live a fulfilling life – by helping single Londoners at every stage of homelessness. From supporting people in crisis to helping people take the final steps towards independence and employment, the Single Homeless Project makes a difference to 10,000 lives every year. It also works to tackle the underlying causes of homelessness and social exclusion, and makes the case for prevention and systemic change.
4. BHT Sussex
Providing housing as well as support, specialist advice and guidance to people in East Sussex, BHT Sussex is both a housing association and a homeless charity. Covering a broad range of services, the charity sees its role as to challenge the causes of homelessness, poverty and marginalisation, as well as to deal with the consequences. It does this by providing support with work, learning and employment, mental health and well-being, addiction services, legal advice and housing services.
5. Crisis
The UK national charity for people experiencing homelessness, Crisis offers year-round education, employment, housing and well-being services from centres in 11 areas across Scotland, Wales and England. Crisis’ main aim is to relieve the huge pressure of homelessness by helping people to find safe and affordable homes as quickly as possible, but the charity also provides support to help people access benefits, healthcare services and employment opportunities, and prioritises supporting people who find it difficult to access or are excluded from services that should be there to prevent or end their homelessness.
by net effect