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

Many people experiencing homelessness say that it is very isolating and lonely. This is particularly the case for those who are rough sleeping. Some things you can do are:

• make eye contact
• smile 
• say hello
• ask how they are
• ask 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, like running a marathon! You can see all our current events here. 
• 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, which can be found here.

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

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

Everyone can do something to help the fight against homelessness. You can join a campaign by signing a petition, writing a letter to your local MP or sharing a post on social media so more people are aware of it. These are small actions, but when thousands of people do them together it can add up to making a real difference. Here are some of the current campaigns that we would encourage you to support:

• #PlanForThe136k

Glass Door is part of the #PlanForThe136k campaign for a cross-department strategy to tackle youth homelessness. There are more and more young people being pushed into homelessness, and to address this problem it is vital that solutions are tailored to their specific needs and circumstances.

You can find out more about the campaign and how you can support it here: https://www.planforthe136k.org.uk/support

• Crisis | Tell your MP: None of us should be criminalised for being homeless

The Criminal Justice Bill, currently in Parliament, includes very concerning provisions that would criminalise ‘nuisance’ rough sleeping. We worry that this could further stigmatise people who need support, and have joined with a number of other homeless charities in calling for these provisions to be scrapped.

We support Crisis’ campaign encouraging people to write to their local MP asking them to speak out against these plans. You can find out more here: https://campaigns.crisis.org.uk/page/142013

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.