Living close to central London can often bring us into contact with others who are in great need. Though we want to be able to show the love of Jesus, it is sometimes difficult to know how best to respond or what practical help we can give. This page lists various resources to equip us and organisations to which we can point others.
In addition, this article is written by someone with experience of working with the homeless and contains much wisdom about the difficult situation of being asked for money by those on the streets.
There is a helpful directory of services for homeless people here.
GIVING IMMEDIATE HELP TO OTHERS
Camden’s StreetSafe app can be used for notifying Camden Routes off The Streets (RTS) of someone sleeping rough or engaging in other street activity. It is available for iOS and Android.
Once a rough sleeper is confirmed, they will assess the person in more depth and assign them a keyworker to work 1-1 with them, primarily to assist them into accommodation whilst helping with other support needs (e.g. physical/ mental health issues, substance misuse, immigration, sex working, benefit issues etc), with the longer term aim of helping them get their lives back on track and most importantly off the street as soon as possible. (See also details of the Hub Assessment Centre below). Their outreach team are out 7 days a week verifying and assisting the homeless of Camden. They also have a 24/7 freephone line on : 0808 800 0005 whereby rough sleepers and the public can report instances of rough sleeping in tandem with the app.
StreetLink is for those sleeping rough and not in touch with an outreach team. Send StreetLink an alert at streetlink.london, via the mobile app, or by calling 0300 500 0914.
London Borough of Camden
020 7974 4444
5 Pancras Square, N1C 4AG
Ask for Homelessness Prevention service.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 9am-5pm
www.camden.gov.uk/at-risk-of-being-homeless
If under 18, ask for Children’s Services.
HELP WITH ACCOMMODATION
Camden Routes off the Streets (RTS) – Hub Assessment Centre
020 7846 3535
6-8 Greenland Street, NW1 0ND
Monday-Friday: 10am-4pm
Email: [email protected]
Website: camdenrts.co.uk
For single homeless people, offering help with mental health, accommodation/housing advice, alcohol/drugs, bathroom/showers, foot care, laundry.
DAY CENTRES IN CAMDEN
Thames Reach (Camden Spectrum)
020 7267 4937
6-8 Greenland Street, NW1 0ND
Monday-Friday: 9:30am-7pm
Website: thamesreach.org.uk
Thames Reach is a London-based charity helping homeless and vulnerable people.
Offers help with accommodation & housing advice, alcohol/drugs, food (free), bathroom/showers, clothing store, internet access, medical/health, tenancy support
DAY CENTRES IN CENTRAL LONDON
The Connection (Day Centre)
020 7766 5544
St Martin-in-the-Fields. 12 Adelaide Street WC2N 4HW.
Drop in Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 9am-1.30pm.
On Wed morning, there is a women-only space.
Showers, food, laundry and more specific support like help with benefits and finding somewhere to stay.
020 7592 1850
St Vincent’s Centre, Carlisle Place, SW1P 1NL.
Helps single homeless people aged over 18 – appointment only, but clients can come to reception to make an appointment, Mon-Fri, 9am-3.30pm or by calling the number above.
West London Mission (Seymour Place)
020 4530 7800
134-136 Seymour Place, W1H INT
Hot breakfasts, showers, laundry, clothing store, haircuts, luggage storage and mail collection. Advice and support.
Call for weekday drop-in times.
020 7928 1677
6-8 Webber St, Waterloo, SE1 8QA.
Cooked breakfasts, showers and clothing.
Drop in Mon-Thurs/Sat: 8.30am-12pm.
Open for advice on Fridays, 9.00am-12pm.
020 7357 9363
12 Melior St, SE1 3QP
Breakfasts, lunches, showers, phone charging, access to computers, nursing help (plus housing and welfare advice, Mon-Thurs).
Open 7 days a week: 8.30am-1.30pm
0845 833 3005
83 Margaret St, W1W 8TB.
Food, showers, washing facilities, clothing, referrals and other practical support.
Drop in weekdays: 10.15am-12:30pm (closed Thursdays).
LEGAL ADVICE
London Advice Service
0330 053 6091 – for those under 25
0344 515 1540 – for those 25 or over
(Mon-Fri, 9:30am-5pm)
National Helpline Service – 0808 800 4444
For those who are homeless, have an immediate need for accommodation, or at worried about losing their home in the next 2 months.
(Mon-Fri: 8am-6pm)
An online check is needed first.
CLA can help those eligible with housing problems – either in cases of homelessness or if people are at risk of being evicted.
The main way to access services is through their Adviceline:
0808 278 7835
141 Robert Street, NW1 3QT
Offers free, confidential, impartial and independent advice on a wide range of subjects including immigration, housing and debt.
They also offer online advice.
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
Call NHS 111 free anytime when it’s less urgent than 999, or if you don’t have a GP to call.
Those in mental health crisis should phone the 24/7 crisis line on 0800 0234 650 (Freephone) – this crisis line offers emotional support and advice to people who require urgent medical attention. It is open to children and adults of all ages, to people who haven’t previously used mental health services and to carers and family members who might be concerned about someone. A&E should only be attended if there is a physical health emergency.
UCLH – University College Hospital A&E
235 Euston Rd. NW1 2BU.
020 3456 7890
Royal Free Hospital,
Rowland Hill Street, NW3 2AG
020 7794 0500
Camden Health Improvement Practice (CHIP)
The Margarete Centre, 108 Hampstead Road, NW1 2LS
Book appointment via 020 3182 4200 or anApp.
Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm
GP Practice for homeless people and those with substance misuse, alcohol and mental health problems.
Offers GP registration, vaccinations and on-site blood tests, sexual health screening, contraception and cervical screening, various treatments, food vouchers
Call 166123 (free from any phone)
email [email protected]
Drop in 9am-9pm every day:
46 Marshall Street, W1F 9BF.
0800 012 6867
9am-3pm, Mon-Fri
Helping ex-servicemen and women in crisis, including with homelessness.
27 Victoria Square, SW1W ORB.
0808 808 2003 (available: Monday – Friday 9am – 8pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am – 3pm)
0300 123 3393 (9am-6pm, Mon-Fri, except bank holidays)
0800 0121 700 (24/7)
Concerns can also be reportedonline.
FOR MIGRANTS
Praxis offers services and online resources for refugees, asylum seekers and other immigrants.
Telephone advice: 020 7749 7605 (Wed 2-5pm, Thurs 10am-1pm)
Drop-in clinic: Praxis, Pott Street, London, E2 0EF (2nd Wed of the month, doors open at 9am)
020 3479 2522
St Saviour, Wendell Park Church, Cobbold Road, W12 9LN.
Free multilingual service designed to help people experiencing homelessness, and those with other barriers to employment, to find work. This ranges from travel assistance to attend job interviews to the provision of essential equipment or clothing.
Mon-Fri by appointment only
Consonant Migrants Resource Centre
020 7402 6750
Derry House, Church Street Estate, NW8 8HJ
Offers a range of services including support with job searches.
Ring for an appointment Mon-Fri: 9:30am-5:30pm