Homelessness is on the increase. More people than ever are facing Christmas without a safe place to call home. Your support is needed more than ever to help us to end homelessness for people across our city.
The number of households in England who became homeless or were at risk of homelessness has increased 6.8% on the previous year, a staggering 298,430 households, including 104,460 families with children. In Liverpool we worked with 4,368 individuals, a 15% increase and our outreach team saw a record number of people sleeping rough, 564 individuals, a 27% increase.
The Whitechapel Centre works with people experiencing homelessness every day of the year but Christmas is a particularly difficult and emotional time. We try to make it a little better for anyone who is sleeping rough, offering a warm welcome, Christmas lunch and a gift. We’ll also be distributing gifts and Christmas treats to over 900 clients around the city. For many, this will be their first Christmas without their own home.
We can only do this because of the kind donations we receive. We’re running a Christmas appeal with several ways to support us – volunteer, donate useful things, buy Christmas cards or virtual gifts, or support us financially. Your support will help us continue our work this Christmas and give people the hope and opportunity to change their lives throughout the year.
Find out more about the work of The Whitechapel Centre this Christmas here.