Help the Homeless this Winter

Our charity is dealing with the highest number of clients we've ever seen and it continues to grow as more people throughout Britain lose their homes and have nowhere else to go. So far, from Jan-Oct 2024, LDHAS has had a total footfall of 4,300, with an average of over 415 attendances a month.

Funding is very hard to come by now as more people reduce their charitable giving as a result of the high cost-of-living, and as more trusts and foundations both limit their spending and focus on more global humanitarian causes; it appears that, by the end of the year, LDHAS will need to cover some of our running costs through reserves - a very risky position for a poverty charity to be put in.
Please, anything you can spare will go a long way towards keeping our charity alive during a time of great uncertainty and need. Please help us protect the vulnerable men and women on our streets during a cold British winter.

LDHAS

LDHAS provides both daily essentials (including free food, hygiene products, clothing, and laundry) and in-depth casework for the homeless and vulnerably housed in the Lancaster District, covering an area of over 577km2.

There is no one type of homeless person, someone may: be vulnerably housed; have been placed in emergency accommodation; or sleep on the street without a roof over their heads. Centre-users range in age, race, gender, and level of mental/physical need. The service is designed to support people into accommodation and provide a person-centred approach that builds on individuals’ strengths whilst addressing their most pressing, immediate needs.

Whatever you can spare will help those suffering homelessness and extreme poverty access:

• Breakfasts and lunches
• Clothing and laundry
• Showers and hygiene products
• IT and banking facilities
• Support with rising costs of living
• Mental health support
• Assistance with substance abuse and addiction
• Nurses and Hepatitis C treatments in our new medical room

The cost of living

As the cost-of-living and energy prices put immense pressure on people, many adults and families have become financially vulnerable, and the number of those at risk continues to grow. Those with low wages/salaries (or no employment at all) have gone from “struggling to get by” to “not getting by” and LDHAS is already seeing an increase in the daily attendance of clients and in the number of phone calls from people seeking advice or support.

The number of clients attending our centre has grown dramatically over the last four years and shows no signs of declining.

During this uncertain winter, LDHAS is seeking funds from those fortunate enough to spare donations. It is essential we provide a friendly, warm, and safe environment, free of judgment, for vulnerable people and those whose lives are in crisis, and this is only possible with the generous contributions of donors.

Who are our clients?

The majority of clients have complex needs, usually the result of distressing experiences they have suffered or poor mental health; as a result, our most requested forms of floating support are “mental health/emotional support” followed by “housing advice”. LDHAS staff provide more than support with tenancies; they represent a holistic network of support.

Research shows that homeless people face problems far beyond the lack of a suitable home; many of our clients face social disadvantages with reduced access to both public and private services (including health care, education, and banking facilities). Additionally, our clients are at an increased risk of suffering from violence and abuse, face general rejection and discrimination, and are seen as unsuitable for employment.

Neighbourhoods within the district rank amongst the most deprived areas in the UK on the “Indices of Deprivation”. For example, Lancaster 009C LSOA (i.e. neighbourhood code) ranks #33 out of 32,844 LSOAs in England, where 1 is the most deprived.

How do we operate?

In 2024, LDHAS relocated from our previous site (an old portacabin) to a new office building! This relocation also included the reconstruction of the new site’s interiors, including the installation of a medical room, commercial kitchen, and shower and laundry facilities. Given the age of our old cabin, and the council’s plans to redevelop the area we were located, LDHAS was forced to move; while our new building has everything we need and was reconstructed specifically for our clients, this resulted in a very high expenditure for our charity, meaning we are now in need of donations more than ever.

Anything you can spare will go a long way towards ensuring our district’s most vulnerable people have somewhere safe and warm this winter: some solace during an otherwise uncertain winter.

LDHAS operates a non-appointment policy, from Monday to Friday, providing a wide range of facilities and services at our base in Lancaster. Anyone who comes through our doors can access services to meet their immediate needs, ranging from hot food to receiving support from staff on a one-to-one basis. 

We utilise a triage approach, wherein all clients are assessed and an initial plan is put into place, beginning with meeting the most pressing needs. The plan includes housing, health and social care, finances, and work and educational issues, with planned actions and outcomes.

LANCASTER & DISTRICT HOMELESS ACTION SERVICE LIMITED
Charity number: 1093016

 Lancaster & District Homeless Action,
2 Aalborg Place,
Lancaster,
LA1 1BJ

Phone: 01524842008