We can all be part of the solution. Below, we count down our top ten ways to support people affected by homelessness.

1. Make a human connection

At Glass Door, we are supporting a growing number of people who are struggling after losing their livelihood during the pandemic. Some are sleeping rough for the first time. With less people out and about, people sleeping on the street or on buses are feeling more isolated than ever before.

While respecting social distancing rules, we suggest you

• make eye contact
• smile (even if you are wearing a mask)
• say hello
• ask how they are and if they would like help connecting to local services

We believe it's a personal choice whether or not to give money. There are other ways to help.

You could say: "Sorry, I don't have any change. Would you like to have a quick chat?" 

Opening yourself up for conversation with a stranger is not easy. But we know loneliness is one of the most insidious side effects of homelessness.

2. Take part in an Event 

There are plenty of ways you can help raise awareness and funds.

For example:

• Take on a challenge that supports Glass Door. For example, take on The London Walk in March, a bespoke Glass Door abseil in May or Ride London, a 100 mile cycle in May.
• Hold your own event such as a quiz, bake sale or movie night and collect donations.
• Or find another way to fundraise 

Contact Glass Door for fundraising inspiration and support.

3. Connect someone to services

We recommend asking your local homeless charity how you can refer people to their services. Or direct someone directly to one of our partnering day centres, where Glass Door caseworkers are on-hand to provide support. If you are local to South West/ West London, download, print, and carry copies of our "Find Shelter and Support" flyers. 

Download flyer

Also, consider connecting someone on the streets to the local Streetlink team. The details of the location you provide would be sent to the local authority so they can help the person to services. Always ask the person if they allow you to contact StreetLink on their behalf first.

If someone is in need of urgent medical attention, call 111 or 999.

Find out more on how to make a StreetLink referral

4. Donate or Fundraise

A one-off or regular donation to your local front-line charity can help bring shelter and support to someone who needs it most.

Donate to Glass Door now

Or ask friends and family to make a donation for your birthday via a Facebook fundraiser.

We are thankful for support from businesses and schools as well. Find out how your work place or local school can work with Glass Door as their nominated "charity of the year". 

5. Support restaurants and other establishments making a difference 

• When you are able to dine out, look for one of the many excellent restaurants that take part in StreetSmart, a charity that passes on donations to Glass Door and other reputable homeless charities.
• Buy your cuppa from ChangePlease, "a social enterprise staffed by the homeless, to support the homeless".
• Look out for local Big Issue vendor. Find your local vendor at Big issue's handy online look up tool.

6. Raise funds while shopping online

Support Glass Door or a favourite charity when shopping online.

By choosing one of the tools below, the retailer gives a portion of your sale to the good cause of your choice, at no extra cost to you:

• Easyfundraising 
• Give as you Live

7. Volunteer

We encourage you to keep an eye on our latest volunteer opportunities and roles with our partner organisations.

8. Donate stuff

People experiencing homelessness still need basic items like food and clothes.

Check out things we currently need where we also detail how and where you can donate.

9. Campaign

Glass Door's pick of campaigns: 

• Shelter | Cost of living crisis: stop homelessness now

Glass Door supports Shelter's campaign, which calls on the government take urgent action and help people at risk of homelessness, notably due to the cost of living. For this, they ask those who can to call on their MP to ask Chloe Smith, the Work and Pensions Secretary and Simon Clarke, the Housing Secretary to work together and take these emergency steps: 

• stop homelessness now - make housing benefit adequate to protect vulnerable renters 
• cap social rent increases at 3% 
• build more social homes to end the housing emergency in years to come 

Find out more: https://campaigns.shelter.org.uk/cost-living-crisis-stop-homelessness-now 

• Crisis | Regulate the Rogues

Regulate the Rogues is a campaign to stop rogue landlords exploiting people who need housing and support to leave homelessness behind. Thousands of people experiencing homelessness who require additional support are living in unsafe, squalid homes by rogue landlords who are profitting without providing the help they’re supposed to provide. Support Crisis's public letter to the Housing Secretary, Simon Clarke, to demand action: https://www.crisis.org.uk/get-involved/campaign/regulate-the-rogues/

10. Register your interest in hosting a refugee

Everyone is welcome at Glass Door, including refugees and individuals with no recourse to public funds. In appropriate cases, we might help these guests connect with hosting organisations. 

Find out more about becoming a host with organisations like Refugees at Home and Housing Justice. 

On behalf of Glass Door staff, volunteers and guests: THANK YOU.