Rough Sleepers | Homelessness | Night Shelters - External Contacts

2006-02-25T23:57:00.003Z

This is not an exhaustive list and will inevitably change. The Contacts below were produced some little time ago and therefore will change from time to time with some venues having closed, or moved; and some new ones coming online. However, even some of these will at least may well be able to re-direct you to other contacts known through historical networks. We nonetheless update the this Blog periodically as more information or amendments become available. We, however welcome information that would help update the undermentioned to help those in need.

PLEASE REMEMBER Avoid sending any homeless person indiscriminately to any Night Shelter before first making contact with the shelter. It is appreciated that this is often frustrating and sometimes difficult. However, sending a exhausted homeless person, (perhaps from one side of London to another in hope), only for them to arrive to be told that it is not open, or they are full, potentially has far more ramifications and psychological damage to a person already suffering.

More funding to combat Homelessness:

The Deputy Prime Minister, Rt.Hon.John Prescott, MP back in 2006 announced a £150 million funding package for new action to prevent and reduce homelessness. An extra £90 million will be targeted at improving the condition of hostel accommodation, and the vital services they provide, to help rough sleepers make a permanent move away from the streets. Around £60 million will be allocated to local authorities and voluntary sector agencies over 2005/06. The funding will help deliver front line services and other initiatives to reduce homelessness. This includes drug rehabilitation treatment, mediation to resolve family and relationship problems and support for women experiencing domestic violence. The latest statistics from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister showed that 100,810 households were living in temporary accommodation at the end of September, up 7% from the previous year.

Shelter have a Freephone with details of accommodation available in London at any particular time

Shelter: 0800 446 444 / 020 7014 1540 / 020 7014 1580

Crisis ShelterLine: - 0870 011 3335

Samaritans: 08457 909 090

Message Home.

Homeless in London and need help and advice? Visit © Crisis directory of direct-access hostels and day centres, training and health services in London.

Friar Bennett’s Kitchen:

Community of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal

St Fidelis Friary - Killip Close, CANNING TOWN, E16 1LX

Telephone: (020) 7474 0766 Fax: (020) 7474 5225

Hot Soup Tea Hospitality Open 11.00 am to 2.00 pm Monday, Wednesday & Thursday

No’s: 5, 15, N15, 58

Canning Town Station (Jubilee Line)

Canning Town Station (DLR)

Night Shelters:

Waltham Forest Team: Shelter Mobile: 020 8821 3941 / 07957 493 326

Redbridge Team: Shelter Mobile: 0374 464 854

EMERGENCY ACCOMMODATION IN LONDON [Please go to: for map of locations]

If you are in need of a place to stay we would suggest that you try the following agencies

[Please read guidance note at the beginning of this web page]

Camden & Clarkenwell Churches Cold Weather shelter)

Telephone: 07968 362 152

Various venues Male & Female.

Agency referrals: Telephone between 1.00 pm – 9.00 pm to check vacancies and venue details. Priority given to local agencies between 10.00 am – 1.00 pm. If there is an available agency, give directions to the shelter for that evening. DO NOT turn-up at the shelter without phoning first.

Croydon Churches (Floating Shelter)

Telephone: 020 8774 9872 (Office) or 07984 973 952 (Out-of-Hours Co-Ordinator)

Croydon Resource Centre for the Unemployed

70a, Wllesly Road, Croydon. CR0 2AR.

Venues: 8 Church Halls Male & Female.

N.B: Mobile will be switched-off if there are no vacancies.

Agency referrals: Telephone office or mobile between 10.00 am – 5.00 pm. To check vacancies.

Finchley Area Churches(Winter Shelter)

Telephone: 020 8446 8400

Various Venues Male & Female

All referrals must be made by Homeless Action Barnet.

Harrow Winter Shelter

Telephone: 07854 151 713 or 020 8863 1074

Agency referrals only.

Hackney Winter Night Shelter

Telephone: 07979 230 039

Various venues Male & Female.

Self or agency referrals. Phone enquires 7.00 pm – 10.00 pm. Vacancies let nightly on a first come, first served basis.

Newham Winter Night Shelter

See main website for information

Telephone: (020 8552 0442. Out of hours contact No: 07944 637 270

Various venues Male & Female.

Self or agency referrals but must first contact the above numbers to check availability as currently full. Phone enquires 10.00 pm – 4.30 pm. Vacancies let nightly on a first come, first served basis.

Aram House provides a safe environment, hot meal, shower facilities and the opportunity for homeless people to discuss their problems and gain practical advice. Aram House is based at 217 Romford Road, Forest Gate, London E7. Telephone: 020 8552 0442.

However, referrals to Aram House will still need to be made as above.

Islington Churches (Cold Winter Shelter)

Telephone: 07960 491 151

Various venues Male & Female.

Quaker Homeless Action

Telephone: 020 7033 0093 or 07905 943 542

Self-referrals. Drop-in to the shelter Male & Female.

Christchurch. 27 Blackfriars Road, London. SE1 8NY

SHELTER LONDON LINE: … 0808 800 4444 (Freephone number NO charge)

24 HOURS A DAY: 7 DAYS A WEEK.

If you are looking for a vacancy at King Georges, they do not have a waiting list. So you may want to contact one of our referral agencies, Salvation Army Outreach, Thamesreach, North Lambeth Day Centre, Lambeth Walk In, Borderline London Connection). If you use a day centre you can ask them to ring for you to ask for vacancies, however, while they do have some direct access vacancies, they are trying to give priority to men who are sleeping rough, so the majority of our vacancies go to our referral agencies.

North Lambeth Day Centre: St. John's Crypt, 73 Waterloo Road.

Open for drop-in service: Monday + Wednesday + Thursday + Friday - 9.30 am ~ 2.00 pm

Tuesday 12 noon - 2.00 pm.

Lambeth Walk In: 3-5 Lambeth Road.

Open for drop-in service: 1 pm ~ 4.00 pm Each weekday.

Closed weekends.

London Connection: 12 Adelaide Street [For under 25's]

Open for drop in service: Monday + Tuesday + Thursday + Friday - 8.00 am -3.00 pm.

Wednesday 8.00 am ~1 pm.

Saturday + Sunday 9.00 am ~ 2.00 pm.

Borderline: 127 Wilton Road [For Scots]

Call: 0800 174 047 for an appointment

Salvation Army Outreach: 97 Rochester Row.

Open for drop-in service: Monday + Tuesday + Wednesday +

Thursday 9.30 am -1.00 pm.

Wednesday Additional opening 7.30 pm -10.30 pm.

Thames Reach Outreach: Bramah House, 65-71 Bermondsey Street.

Open for drop-in service: Monday - Friday 9.00 am ~10.30 pm.

HQ address is: 75 Great Peter Street, London. SW1P 2BN.

Our phone number is: (020) 7222 3288 - (24 hours)

St Mungo’s [Lambeth & Southwark Street Population Outreach Team]

(Formerly SL CAT)

Telephone: 020 7840 3450. Fax: 020 7582 8635

34-43 Bondway, Vauxhall, London. SW8 1SJ

Direct Access

Bondway Nightshelter Lambeth (020) 7582 6202

Bridge HA - Arlington House Camden (020) 7482 3374

Bridge HA - Birkenhead Street Camden (020) 7278 6466

Bridge HA - Dean Street Westminster (020) 7437 3703

Bridge HA - Ennersdale House Lewisham (020) 7318 5521

Bridge HA - One One Five Brent (020) 7451 0946

Central and Cecil Housing Trust - Waterloo Road • Southwark (020) 7928 5752

Church Army - Cosway Street • Westminster (020) 7262 3818

English Churches - King George's Hostel • Westminster (020) 7222 3288

English Churches - Livingstone House • Brent (020) 8963 0545

English Churches - Queen Mary’s Hostel • Westminster (020) 7976 6338

Equinox - Joe Richards House • Southwark (020) 7639 8008

Home of Peace • Brent (020) 7624 4107

House of St Barnabas • Westminster (020) 7437 1894

Look Ahead • Aldgate Hostel • Tower Hamlets (020) 7481 1326

Look Ahead - Princess Beatrice House • Kensington & Chelsea (020) 7370 0755

Look Ahead - Victoria Hostel • Westminster (020) 7828 9137

Missionaries of Charity - Gift of Love • Southwark (020) 7401 8378

Providence Row - Dellow Centre • Tower Hamlets (020) 7375 3915

Riverpoint - Manor Place • Southwark (020) 7703 68

Riverpoint 160 • Hammersmith & Fulham (020) 8746 0091

Salvation Army -Booth House • Tower Hamlets (020) 7247 3401

Salvation Army - Edward Alsop Court • Westminster (020) 7233 0296

Salvation Army - Hopetown • Tower Hamlets (020) 7247 1004

Salvation Army - Riverside House • Tower Hamlets (020) 7987 1520

Salvation Army - Spa Home • Southwark (020) 7237 1107

SPEAR • Richmond Upon Thames (020) 8948 5564

St Christopher’s - Limegrove Project • Hammersmith & Fulham - (020) 8743 0421

St Mungo's - Cedars Road • Lambeth (020) 7720 7377

St Mungo’s - Cromwell Road • Kensington & Chelsea (020) 7370 1351

St Mungo’s - Endell Street • Camden (020) 7240 5431

St Mungo’s - Great Guildford Street • Southwark (020) 7633 9655

St Mungo’s - Greek Street • Westminster (020) 8692 3454

St Mungo's - Pagnell Street • Lewisham (020) 7485 6639

Simon Community Nightshelter • Camden (020) 7485 6639

The Passage Night Shelter • Westminster (020) 7828 4183

Direct Access - Young People

Centrepoint • NSPCC - Refuge • All London (020) 7700 7541

Capital Housing - Bina Gardens Kensington & Chelsea (020) 773 0635

Centrepoint - Kings Cross Hostel • Camden (020) 7833 9415

Centrepoint - Off the Streets Project • Westminster (020) 7434 2861

Centrepoint - Vauxhall Hostel Lambeth (020) 7735 7999

Centrepoint Shelter Westminster (020) 7287 9134

DePaul Trust - Lord Clyde Nightshelter Lambeth (020) 7820 0344

Lena Fox House Southwark (020) 7229 2220

Merton Action for Single Homeless (MASH) Merton (020) 8543 3677

NACRO - Creek Road Greenwich (020) 8293 5833

New to London Project Westminster (020) 7723 7544

Shortstop Housing Project Newham (020) 8472 9613

Stopover - Famboro House Lewisham (020) 8699 1574

YMCA - Earls Court Kensington & Chelsea (020) 7373 0787

YMCA Croydon - Letts House Croydon (020) 8665 1051

Information Shop for Young People 10 Hedley Close, High Street, ROMFORD, Essex. RM1 1AH

Low Support

Anchor House Newham (020) 7476 6062

Austin House Hammers & Fulham (020) 7624 2916

Conway House Camden (020) 7790 1474

Ex-Service Fellowship Centres Tower Hamlets (020) 7625 1818

Innisfree - St Pancras Way Camden (020) 8805 0548

Lee Housing Association Enfield (020) 8805 0548

OakIands House Hammersmith & Fulham (020) 7967 5463

Queen Victoria Seamen’s Rest Tower Hamlets (020) 7987 5466

St Louise House Westminster (020) 7222 2071

Surrey Housing Trust Croydon (020) 8688 0289

Western Lodge Wandsworth (020) 7288 1452

Women's Housing Trust Al London (020) 8340 2345

YMCA • Hornsey Haringey (020) 8390 0148

YMCA • Kingston Kingston upon Thames (020) 8390 0148

YMCA - Forest Waltham Forest ( 020) 8520 0931

YMCA - Watford and District Hertfordshire 01923 353 609

YMCA • Croydon - Alexandra Club Croydon (020) 8688 0289

YWCA - Dagenham (The Vineries) Barking & Dagenham (020) 8595 8672

YWCA - Helen Graham House Camden (020) 7837 3420

YWCA • Islington Islington (020) 7837 3420

YWCA • Park House Kensington & Chelsea (020) 7373 2851

YWCA • Putney Wandsworth (020) 8789 3248

YWCA • Watford Hertfordshire 01923 247 714

Foyers

Centrepoint - Camberwell Foyer Lambeth (020) 7501 9661

Centrepoint - Drury Lane Westminster (020) 7379 4244

Centrepoint - Salters City Foyer City of London (020) 7726 0991

Focus E15 Newham (020) 8227 1000

LookAhead - Gateway Southwark (020) 7928 1822

YMCA • Ealing Ealing (020) 8579 6946

YMCA • Romford Havering 01708 766 211

YMCA • Wimbledon Merton (020) 8542 9055

Winter Season Night Shelter LB Waltham Forest

[NOTE: This shelter has closed but may be able to direct to other East London sources through historical networks]

CHURCHES NIGHT SHELTER ~ W.F.C.N.S. - LIMITED

[Winter Season Night Shelter]

SUNDAY United Free Church, Fairlop Road / Wallwood Road, Leytonstone - By Allum Medical Centre.

MONDAY Elim Church - Hainault Road / Fairlop Road, Leytonstone - By the Traffic Lights.

TUESDAY Wood Street United Reform Church - Marlowe Road, Walthamstow.

WEDNESDAY Central Baptist Church - Orford Road, Walthamstow.

THURSDAY Grange Park U.R.C. - using:- Truro Road Community Centre. Truro Road, Walthamstow - off the High Street at Thomas Cook into Erskin Road then into Elden Road / Truro Road, on the corner.

FRIDAY The Salvation Army Centre. Forest Road, Walthamstow.

SATURDAY Methodist Church. Leytonstone High Road, Leytonstone.

To the Rough Sleeper we provide Shelter, a Bed, Breakfast and an Evening Meal, from 8.00 p.m. to 8.00 am Last Admission 10.00 pm. Note Advocacy and other support services available from 8.00 pm to 10.00 pm. Service Users should not arrive before 7.45 pm as they will not be admitted till 8.00 pm) Note only those with no accommodation will be admitted to the shelter. Please do not bring weapons. alcohol or drugs to the shelter as we will not be storing these items over night. Thank you!

NIGHT EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBER: 0795 749 3326

Homeless Persons Unit (HPU):

Homeless Persons Units deal with priority homeless people. People whom the law considers priority homeless include pregnant women, people with dependant children, people aged over 60 years, or those in some way physically or mentally vulnerable. As much information as possible needs to be provided. Prior contact with the local HPU can be made to ascertain what documents need to be taken before attending. Documents needed will include proof of identity, (e.g. Passport, Birth Certificate), current tenancy agreement and Notice to Quit, (if person is in accommodation). Any day, or advice centre will help. Bed & Breakfast or a hostel place may be offered until a more permanent solution can be found. If not considered priority homeless the HPU will provide a list of hostels and private accommodation in the area.

Crime Charities:

These are crime-prevention charities involved in crime reduction in communities. They range from Alcohol & Drug support and referral bodies, plus groups that deal with people at risk of, or who are social excluded, to other well known organisations such as Victim Support, and Crime Stoppers. They face a funding and image conundrum, historically relying heavily on statutory funding, and with crime reduction at the top of the Governments agenda, these organisations need to be recognised as charities making available anti-crime provisions in communities and making an invaluable contribution to society as a whole, and reduction the high cost on the criminal justice system in purely dealing with people involved in ant-social behaviour by draconian methods and imprisonment which time has shown does not cure the problem in some ways is a short-term measure, temporarily taking the problem(s) out of society but long term has the potential to perpetuate the underlining issues.

NOTE: When contacting any of the above sources, please tell them where you obtain their details at our Blog. Thank you!

Gordon Owen was involved with a number of soup run projects around London during the 70's, 80's, & 90's +millennium with Crisis Open Christmas/Advice Centre/Extension Shelter; and previously was pro-actively involved with the Parish of East Ham Night Shelter at St Bart's Church & Centre, London for over 10 years and Senior Co-Ordinator for a significant amount of this time. The Night Shelter was part of a cluster of ecumenical venues which collectively formed the Newham Night Shelter, operating during the winter season annually (November to March). A permanent Night Shelter is now hoped by an umbrella organisation in the Borough.

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. Teacher, he asked, what must I do to inherit eternal life?

What is written in the Law? he replied. How do you read it?

He answered: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbour as yourself.

You have answered correctly, Jesus replied. Do this and you will live.

But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

In reply Jesus said: A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he travelled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. Look after him, he said, and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.

Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?

The expert in the law replied, The one who had mercy on him.

Jesus told him, Go and do likewise.

Saint Giles Patron Saint of the Homeless

(Also known as Aegidus; Egidio Memorial)

Profile: Born a wealthy noble. When his parents died, he used his fortune to help the poor. Miracle worker. To avoid followers and adulation, he left Greece c.683 for France where he lived as a hermit in a cave in the diocese of Nimes, a cave whose mouth was guarded by a thick thorn bush, and a lifestyle so impoverished that, legend says, God sent a hind to him to nourish him with her milk.

One day after he had lived there for several years in meditation, a royal hunting party chased the hind into Giles' cave. One hunter shot an arrow into the thorn bush, hoping to hit the deer, but hit Giles in the leg instead, crippling him. The king sent doctors to care for saint's wound, and though Giles begged to be left alone, the king came often to see him.

From this his fame as sage and miracle worker spread, and would-be followers gathered near the cave. The French king, because of his admiration, built the monastery of Saint Gilles du Gard for these followers, and Giles became its first abbot, establishing his own discipline there. A small town grew up around the monastery. Upon Giles' death, his grave became a shrine and place of pilgrimage; the monastery later became a Benedictine house.

The combination of the town, monastery, shrine and pilgrims led to many handicapped beggars hoping for alms; this and Giles' insistence that he wished to live outside the walls of the city, and his own damaged leg, led to his patronage of beggars, and to cripples since begging was the only source of income for many. Hospitals and safe houses for the poor, crippled, and leprous were constructed in England and Scotland, and were built so cripples could reach them easily. On their passage to Tyburn for execution, convicts were allowed to stop at Saint Giles Hospital where they were presented with a bowl of ale called Saint Giles' Bowl, thereof to drink at their pleasure, as their last refreshing in this life. Once in Scotland during the seventeenth century his relics were stolen from a church and a great riot occurred.

In Spain, shepherds consider Giles the protector of rams. It was formerly the custom to wash the rams and colour their wool a bright shade on Giles feast day, tie lighted candles to their horns, and bring the animals down the mountain paths to the chapels and churches to have them blessed. Among the Basques, the shepherds come down from the Pyrenees on 1st September, attired in full costume, sheepskin coats, staves, and crooks, to attend Mass with their best rams, an event that marks the beginning of autumn festivals, marked by processions and dancing in the fields. One of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. Born at Athens, Greece Died c.710-724 in France.

NOTE: Disclaimer of Liability

Although care has been taken in preparing the information contained in this document, Mr Gordon Owen @ [Night Shelters] Project @ GoCo - OnLine - Contacts does not and cannot guarantee the accuracy thereof. Anyone using the information does so at their own risk and shall be deemed to indemnify Mr Gordon Owen @ [Night Shelters] Project @ GoCo - OnLine - Contacts from any and all injury or damage arising from such use.

Disclaimer of Endorsement: Reference to any Night Shelters, Centres, Venues, Services, hypertext link to the third parties or other information by trade name, trademark, supplier or otherwise does not constitute or imply any endorsement or non-endorsement, sponsorship or recommendation by the Mr Gordon Owen @ [Night Shelters] Project @ GoCo - OnLine - Contacts, nor is an endorsement of us implied by such links. They above is purely for convenience only, to help the homeless through agencies who view this web page.

We make no representation or warranty of any kind concerning the accuracy or suitability of any of the information contained on this web site page for any purpose or that the information is complete or current. This Blog site and its contents is provided on an 'as is' basis, and we expressly disclaim any warranties relating to fitness for purpose, merchantability, title and/or non-infringement.

We make no representation or warranty of any kind relating to the availability of this Blog, that the services provided on this website will be uninterrupted or that the web site or server that hosts the web site are free from viruses or other form of harmful computer code.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, we will not be liable for damages (direct, indirect and consequential) arising out of use of this Blog or any content included on it, nor shall our employees, affiliates, subsidiaries, directors or other representatives be so liable.

Links: Where we provide links to other sites we do so in good faith and for your information only. We accept no responsibility for the content, suitability or accuracy of any linked site or any information on it, as linked sites are not within our control, nor do the views, opinions of statements expressed or made on any document or web site not attributed to us, reflect, or are those shared or expressed by Mr Gordon Owen • [Night Shelters] Project @ GoCo - OnLine - Contacts.

Governing law and jurisdiction: These terms and conditions will be governed by English law and will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.

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Rough Sleepers | Homelessness | Night Shelters - External Contacts