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All the services provided by Acton Homeless Concern are free. As well as hot food and a warm place to sit, we can offer advocacy and advice on different areas that people in need suffering homelessness or poverty may be experiencing.
Everyone is welcome
Hot lunches at Emmaus House 33,046
Breakfasts & evening tea at Damien Centre 14.898
140 showers and haircuts
1,737 sessions for advice and advocacy on Housing, Mental Health issues, Benefits and Poverty
116 Health services provided
11,750 clothing items &
154 household items provided
1,142 visits to Women & Children Wednesday Group
4779 volunteer hours
Our Clients
Our clients come from all walks of life. They can be anyone. And we are here to welcome them in a wrap-around, caring environment where each unique person feels respected and valued. The acknowledgement of dignity and uniqueness has always been a priority in the vision and mission of our charity here's what some of our clients say:
"From the bottom of my heart, the charity is helpful and caring with wonderful people. I can't thank them enough. " - L.A.
"Emmaus House helps people. It offers a place to receive letters. It is important for many things. It offers food, hot drinks. It offers advice. Thank you! ." - Anon
"I'll never be able to thank you enough for what I am getting. This place and people are so nice and very much respectable. Thank you so much." - NA
"This charity service is excellent and serves us in a variety of ways and provides individuals with the help and guidance to improve their lives." - GR
"I go to the Damien Centre in the morning to get my breakfast. I get a nice breakfast and meet nice people." - Anon
"If it wasn't for the Acton Homeless charity, I would not have any support. They do a very good job! ." - TB
"I am in a new room thanks to the charity. I like Emmaus House and the Damien Centre. Don't know what I would do if it wasn't here ." - N.D.
"I get food and clothes and I have made new friends. A happy place to be. " - W.S.
"The staff are nice to me. I don't see people and when I come here I can talk to people. Also the food is very nice and it is free. Love the place." - L.D.
About Homelessness
The legal definition of homelessness is that 'a household has no home in the UK or anywhere else in the world available and reasonable to occupy' (www.gov.uk). People can become homeless for many different reasons, such as a lack of affordable housing, inequality, poverty and unemployment. Sometimes life events push people into homelessness, refugees, leaving prison or care or the army, escaping domestic violence or abuse, family or relationship breakdowns.
Many people become homeless because they can no longer afford the rent.
And for many, life events like a relationship breaking down, losing a job, mental or physical health problems, or substance misuse put people under considerable strain. Being homeless can, in turn, make many of these problems even harder to resolve. However, in nearly all cases homelessness is preventable and in every case it can be ended.
Types of Homelessness
When we think of the term homeless, we often visualise people who are sleeping rough, but there are other situations that are also described as homelessness. Understanding each type of homelessness leads to better support and a better view of homelessness as a whole. Building a picture of the number of people who are homeless is complicated. This is due to the different ways each type is counted and the limitations of each approach.
Rough sleeping
There were 3,069 people estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2022 in England. This is down 35% from the peak in 2017, but up by 626 people (26%) from last year and up by 74% since 2010 when this measurement was introduced. (source: Rough sleeping snapshot in England: autumn 2022). Rough sleepers are defined as those bedded down or about to bed down in the open air.
Rough sleeping is a dangerous and isolating experience. People sleeping rough are more likely to be victims of crime and violence. Many people who rough sleep develop issues with drugs and alcohol. The longer someone experiences rough sleeping for, the more likely it is they will develop additional mental and physical health needs, substance misuse issues and have contact with the criminal justice system (collectively known as complex needs).
Temporary accommodation
There are different types of 'temporary accommodation' including B&B accommodation, hostels, private flats or houses, council or housing association properties. While people in temporary accommodation have a roof over their head, it is not a home. The uncertainty of their situation, often combined with poor living conditions, impacts both physically and mentally on the individuals and families.
There were 94,870 households in England in temporary accommodation at the end of June 2022. This was a 1% decrease on the number a year previously, but the number of households in temporary accommodation has been increasing in the longer term. A total of 120,710 dependent children were housed in temporary accommodation in June 2022. The length of time people stay in temporary accommodation can range from a single night to indefinite.
Hidden homelessness
The most difficult type of homelessness to quantify is 'hidden homelessness'. These are people who are dealing with their situation informally. It could mean staying with family and friends, sofa surfing, living in overcrowded or unsafe conditions, or living in unsuitable housing like garden sheds or squats. All of these situations leave the person extremely vulnerable, at risk of abuse, assault and exploitation. People experiencing hidden homelessness are not supported by their local authorities or counted in official statistics. For most people who are at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness and rough sleeping, there isn't a single intervention that can tackle this on its own - either at population or individual level. That's why Acton Homeless Concern looks to offer a range of support services, and everyone is welcome.
