Smiley Movement logo

Homeless charities to support in your city

Words by Smiley Team

Charities and organisations across England are working harder than ever to tackle homelessness and to support people in need of housing, and those at risk of becoming homeless. 

A growing social problem, sometimes it can feel like there is little individuals can do to help those in the homeless community. 

Housing charity Crisis has warned that the number of homeless people in England could increase by a third due to the rising cost of living. Whilst the forecast proposed by Crisis is a cause for concern, there is lots you can do to help the homeless community where you live.

[Sign up here to receive a weekly dose of positive news in your inbox]

Smiley News has compiled a list of both national and local charities and organisations that you can support, donate to, fundraise for, or volunteer for if you are able to.

Click through to the charities websites to find out how you can support them – through volunteering your time or donating. 

Nationwide:

Crisis UK - Founded in 1967, Crisis works directly with thousands of homeless people every year. They offer one-to-one support, advice and courses for homeless people in 12 areas across England, Scotland and Wales.

Shelter - Based across the entire of the UK, Shelter defends the right to a safe home by offering free advice and campaigning to change the housing system.

Centrepoint - Centrepoint focuses on youth homelessness and provides housing and support for young people regionally in London, Manchester, Yorkshire and the North East and through partnerships all over the UK.

London and the South East:

St Mungo’s - Each night St Mungo’s outreach teams go out to help people sleeping rough and provide a bed and support to over 3,150 people. 

SPEAR - SPEAR enable people experiencing homelessness in South and West London to find secure accommodation and work towards a positive future.

The London Homeless Collective - The London Homeless Collective is a movement of more than 25 charities that help people experiencing homelessness in London, including The Big Issue, YMCA and The Salvation Army. 

Bristol and the South West:

Emmaus - Emmaus Bristol helps people out of homelessness and poverty, providing a home, support, training and work experience.

Help Bristol’s Homeless - Prioritising getting homeless people into temporary accommodation as fast as possible. 

Julian House - Julian House supports adults and young people across the South West experiencing homelessness, escaping domestic abuse, adults with learning difficulties and people who need support after leaving prison.

Birmingham and the Midlands:

The Project Birmingham - An advice and resource centre helping to prevent homelessness across Birmingham. 

The Homeless Foundation - Based in the West Midlands, The Homeless Foundation provides stepping-stone accommodation between hostels and independent living.

St Basils - St Basils supports people under 25 who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or need housing advice. 

North West:

Lifeshare - Lifeshare is a voluntary organisation established to help meet the needs of homeless and vulnerable people in Manchester and Salford.

Simon on the Streets - This Yorkshire charity delivers outreach on the streets to the homeless community and those that are most vulnerable in Leeds, Bradford and Kirklees.

The Foxton Centre - Based in Preston, the centre identifies rough sleepers and offers support, safety and resources – winter watch programme, community cafe, Housing First accommodation scheme, work experience and volunteering programmes.

The Whitechapel Centre - The Whitechapel Centre is the leading homeless and housing charity for the Liverpool region. We work with people who are sleeping rough, living in hostels or struggling to manage their accommodation. 

North East:

Street Zero - Street Zero works in partnership to make Newcastle a city where no one sleeps rough.

Moving on Durham - Moving On Durham’s (MOD) aim is to break the cycle of youth homelessness in County Durham with specialist youth workers.

North East Homeless - North East Homeless provide support to those who are vulnerable and homeless in the North East of England, with food and emergency equipment.

This article aligns with the following UN SDGs

You might also like…