Marking 25 years of building routes out of homelessness

This year marks 25 years of Glass Door Homeless Charity providing services to people experiencing and at risk of homelessness in London.  

It’s a time to reflect on our grassroots heritage and history; to recognise our unique position and integral role in London’s homeless sector; and to shine a light on the people, experiences and activities that brought us to where we are today. We are marking 25 years of existence as a small but mighty organisation rooted in community, which looks forward in its vision and works towards a world where no one experiences homelessness in London. 

Glass Door Homeless Charity started out in 1996 as West London Churches Homeless Concern, a group of community members handing out info cards in their local area about how to get support with homelessness. Today, we are the largest provider of open access casework support and emergency winter night shelters in the UK.  

Glass Door has grown sustainably in the last 25 years, adapting to the changing landscape of homelessness in the UK. This has meant that our services have evolved a lot over the years.  

In 1999, we opened our first night shelter in the borough of Kensington & Chelsea, and in 2000 we officially gained charity status. 

Then, in 2007, we hired a caseworker to provide tailored advice and support year-round. We added a second night shelter in Hammersmith & Fulham in 2012, followed by a third in Wandsworth in 2016. During the pandemic, we offered single-occupancy accommodation in hostels to make sure guests were kept as safe as possible from Covid-19.  

In 2023, we responded to the growing need for women-centred support by opening our first Women’s Night Shelter and launching a dedicated drop-in service to operate alongside it. Over the last couple of years, we have also strengthened our Migrant and Multiple Disadvantage caseworker offering, in direct response to the number of guests seeking this specialist advice. Today, our casework service is 15 people strong, working from six partner day centres across four West and South West London boroughs.  

Since our inception, we’ve stayed true to our open access ethos, which means that we offer support to anyone who turns to us, no matter who they are or where they are from. Open access is at the core of who we are and how we operate our services. 

From swiftly responding to the pandemic by offering a single-occupancy accommodation, to ensuring our services are gender and trauma informed, we have made sure throughout the years that we are keeping clear sight of the need on the ground and growing our provision to meet that need. 

We rely on the wisdom, knowledge, experience and insight that exists within the organisation to determine how we work. By collecting our own data and insights over the years, we have taken a focused and informed approach to influencing policy on behalf of guests, and we advocate for positive change in society. From advocating for women’s and migrants’ rights, to providing evidence to support the reform of London’s private rented sector, our work is underpinned by our frontline expertise. 

We are also extremely lucky to work alongside our Lived Experience Group—a team of passionate people who share their experience of homelessness with us to ensure that co-production is weaved throughout our services and strategic aims. 

Glass Door has accomplished so much over the years, but we haven’t done it alone. Our deepest gratitude goes out to our dedicated and generous funders, trusts, corporate partners, schools, churches, community groups, and individuals—without whom our work would not be possible. And it is with thanks to the hundreds of volunteers who selflessly give their time, energy and compassion to ensure our guests receive the support they need. Making a difference takes a collective effort, and together, we are changing lives. 

Over this coming year, we will spotlight our achievements and impact. We will also acknowledge that the demand for our services is at the highest level we’ve ever experienced.  

So, while we won’t call this a celebration—because, let’s face it, we shouldn’t have to be here—we will take this moment to reflect. Reflect on the impact we’ve made together for those who rely on us. Reflect on the progress we’ve driven and the lives we’ve touched and changed. And most importantly, reaffirm our commitment to building sustainable, people-centered services for anyone in London experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Because as long as the need exists, we will be here—fighting for change, standing with those who turn to us, and striving for a future where no one is left without a place to call home. 

If you'd like to help us create a future where homelessness doesn't exist in London, please consider donating at our 25 year appeal page.

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