In a nation as prosperous as Britain, it’s hard to believe there exists a forgotten population of 380,000 people - that’s equivalent to the population of Manchester - who don’t have a proper place to call home.
Living in crowded hostels, squats, grotty bed-and-breakfasts, or sleeping on the floors of friends and families, many are also struggling with unemployment, family breakdown, mental illness or alcohol and drug abuse.
Providing an adequate roof over their heads is only part of the solution. To escape homelessness in the long term, they also need support to rebuild their lives and return to work.
That’s where the national charity Crisis comes in. It enables single homeless or vulnerably housed people to reintegrate into society, encouraging the development of personal and vocational skills.
One of the charity’s most successful projects is Changing Lives, a scheme that offers financial awards to help them achieve their vocational goals, whether it’s training or buying equipment to start a business.
In the last year, 140 people have received awards under the scheme. Alex Haines, a 54-year-old from Southampton, is one such person. A bricklayer and plasterer by trade, he ended up living on the streets and drinking heavily following the break-up of a long-term relationship. One night, as he was sleeping rough, he was viciously assaulted and rushed to hospital. This unfortunate incident probably saved his life. The hospital put him in touch with Southampton-based charity the Society of St James, which found him accommodation and enabled him to begin his recovery.
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