The Spires Centre - Christmas Appeal 2023

Aim

We're raising money to help deal with the high demand we're seeing for our services while also expanding our reach through new drop-in sites

Helping those experiencing homelessness or disadvantage 

For the past 30 years Spires has been a lifeline for people experiencing homelessness & disadvantage in South London. We support people in their times of crisis before they become homeless as well as supporting those experiencing homelessness into safe accommodation where they can rebuild their lives.

Our Impact

This year, we have been expanding our reach beyond our day centre through the provision of new drop-in services, allowing us to support a wider group of people in urgent need of help. Specifically in August we started delivering two weekly drop-ins in West Norwood and this November began providing a targeted weekly drop-in for newly granted refugees who are facing homelessness.

So far this year we have supported over 100 homeless people into housing with 250 overall cases of people receiving one-on-one housing advice which includes clients supported into housing, clients supported to avoid eviction, and preventative support enabling them to better manage their tenancies. We have also served a record 3,451 breakfasts so far this year. Our work this year was Highly Commended by Homeless Link in their Excellence Awards. 

With our busiest months of the year approaching and what are the most dangerous times for anyone facing homelessness, our work becomes the more crucial. For many people, homelessness is not a choice, it is the combination of multiple incidents or issues in their lives that have led to homelessness. Behind every person we support, there is a story on what has led them to this point in their lives. Stephen's story below is just one example of many who are in times of crisis and have turned to Spires for help.

Stephen’s Story: 

Stephen visited Spires after being evicted from his home following the passing of his son while he was also suffering with complex health issues. After sleeping rough for several weeks, he came to Spires where we successfully helped him move into sheltered housing. His health issues were continuously addressed and every week he spoke with a bereavement councillor. He’s thankful for the support from Spires and is eager to rebuild his life himself to give respect to those at Spires who helped give him a ‘a new beginning’ as he stated.

You can help people like Stephen by donating to our Christmas Appeal, which will contribute towards helping the many more people in similar situation.  

Number of rough sleepers at highest in London 

Unfortunately, the demand for Spires’ services has increased over the course of 2023, and we are seeing more people in urgent need seeking our help. Up until May 2023, we were seeing between 90 -110 different individuals accessing services per month, in June this rose to over 120 people and in October it surpassed 150 different individuals. 

With what are traditionally our busiest months of the year approaching and with recent figures reporting that 4,068 people were sleeping on the streets in London between July-September this year, a 12% rise from the same period last year and an estimated 60,000 people at risk of homelessness by 2030, we’re eager to help many more people who are in desperate need. 

Why your donation matters

While demand for our services is increasing, we’re also facing increasing financial pressure relating to the cost-of-living crisis and more competition for our usual sources of income. This is coinciding with Spires facing rising food, fuel, utility and rental costs at all of our locations. Without more support there is a worst-case scenario where we will need to reduce our service offer for the upcoming year, at a time when there are record numbers of people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

To guarantee that we can continue helping many more people across London, please donate towards our Christmas Appeal 2023!

This project successfully funded on 29th December 2023