Rough Sleeper Support
Our aim is to provide rough sleepers with goods and signposting to ease their day-to-day struggles and then support them when they transition into accommodation.
Promoting Long Term change
Wellbeing
To foster enduring positive change, we strive to support our beneficiaries both practically and emotionally, addressing their holistic wellbeing. This includes workshops held in our allotment spaces, consistent food assistance during their settling-in period, and aid in setting up their homes with donations of furniture, fittings, and necessary appliances.
Transitioning to accommodation
Our aim is to empower our beneficiaries to make long term positive change. When a rough sleeping person decides that they want to leave the streets it can be a daunting process. We try to support this transition by working with housing providers to assist them. This includes helping with applications and assessments, to hands on help moving in and making a home foundation. We are a trusted referer to three North London housing providers. During 2023 we assisted 40 rough sleepers with an application for supported accommodation and had a confirmed uptake of 10. You can see more info in our case studies.
Signposting
To solve many of the negative issues caused by chronic or unexpected homelessness we need to work together as a community. Which is why, while carrying out our services we offer literature about other charities and organisations that may be able to offer support. It is important that we pool our resources for the greater good. So that we can provide the best service to the community, we often consult and work in conjunction with other services, charities and shelters.
Outreach support
Footwear changing lives
Rough sleepers often face podiatry issues due to the challenge of accessing regular, clean, and dry footwear. This can result in foot infections and health complications. To address these concerns, we run a quarterly trainer drive and offer our rough sleeping beneficiaries two pairs of quality footwear: one to wear and another to allow drying while wearing the first pair.
A community effort
Supported by the local community who donate quality footwear, we collect, launder and distribute over 600 pairs of footwear each year. We support 250/300 rough sleepers with fresh footwear within our outreach programme each year. What’s included: 2 pairs of quality footwear and 4 pairs of socks. Nail clippers If you have any footwear that you would like to donate contact us here.
Mobile mission
Staying connected
Giving a rough sleeper a mobile phone means that they can stay connected to the people and services they need . We can give real-time updates on things such as COVID-19, shelters, soup kitchens, emergency accommodation, and other supporting services. This also helps with loneliness and isolation.
Hearts and Helpers has supplied over 250 mobile phones by working directly with rough sleepers and working with other charities like Brixton Soup Kitchen, Soup kitchen London, SHP, ST'MUNGOS'S and Enfield foodbank.
Support kits
The issues faced by people who are chronically homeless can be far reaching and complex. During 2017/18, 46% rough sleepers in London were documented to have had physical health needs. They also have more mental health problems compared to the general public. We have designed different kits that target specific needs, so that we can provide support where it is most needed.
Essentials kit
What’s included: All weather backpack, hat, gloves, first aid kit, hand lotion, wet wipes, fleece, refillable bottle of water, nail clippers plus footwear (see above.)
Why: These simple items can improve the day to day quality of life for rough sleepers.
Seasonal Kits
We like to support our beneficiaries consistently, however the Christmas period often inspires the generosity of the community and local businesses. We adapt to this abundance of support by provide holiday packs. What’s included: Holiday gifts and sign-posting ( especially additional activities available over Christmas and Winter,)
Why: Statistics show that around 45% of rough sleepers are diagnosed with mental health problems. Reaching out to people suffering from chronic homelessness and involving them in festivities creates a more inclusive community.
Outreach Food support
What’s included: A healthy warm meal provided by the local community. A drink, cutlery, hand wipe etc.
Why: Apart from the basic need to eat, providing a warm cooked meal to rough sleepers helps join the community together. This projects brings local restaurants, local volunteers together and raises awareness of the problems faced by those affected by homelessness. We encourage healthy and fresh meals rather than junk food which often donated.