Hundreds join walk to help tackle homelessness in London
Raising money in support of charities tackling homelessness
Last updated 19th Mar 2022
Hundreds are walking through London today, supporting and raising money for homeless charities across the capital.
The London Walk is presented by the London Homeless Collective, a group of 25 homeless charities from across the capital working from pavement to policy aiming to end homelessness.
Those joining will walk the streets of London from 9pm, having chosen a 10km or Marathon route from the Homeless Collective charity The Connection in Trafalgar Square.
London Homelessness
An average of 1 in 52 people in London are homeless, around 169,900 people in the city.
The Homeless Collective report that around 11,000 people sleep rough on London’s streets every year, and every night an estimated 12,500 people are hidden homeless.
Hidden homeless refers to those that aren’t seen, people who go between sleeping on sofas, in squats or on public transport to try and stay safe.
Rick Henderson, CEO of the Homeless Collective charity Homeless Link said, “Homelessness is not an easy issue to overcome. It can only be tackled with joined-up thinking, collaborative actions, and group experience.
“That’s why the London Walk is so important to the cause – it’s a physical and visual representation of what we are doing together, in London, to support the community.
“It’s going to be quite a sight and a real show of solidarity in the city. A thousand people, at night, walking together, for their fellow Londoners.”
EastEnders star Jake Wood is joining the walk and says, "I'm doing the London Walk in aid of Baron's Court Project. They're an amazing charity supporting the homeless in the local area.
“I know the team has worked so hard over the past couple of years, as all the homeless charities have. But one step at a time with all of us walking together, we can say thanks and show our support."
Mitak's story
Mitak, a 23-year-old from East London, was taken in by the charity Centrepoint who support young people facing homelessness.
Mitak became homeless in his early teens after leaving his aunties house.
As it wasn’t a safe living environment, and after a brief period of being in the care system, he ended up receiving support from Centrepoint.
Before ending up in care, he was kicked out of his aunt's house and slept several nights on the streets. He struggled to sleep and describes the time as a “blur”.
He tells us, “It was difficult. I was going through a lot of anxiety and mental health issues; I felt very alone."
He was placed with a foster family for two years before securing semi-independent housing at the age of 18, he was referred to Centrepoint for support.
“Centrepoint supported and guided me in every way I can think of, writing my book, starting a business, making sure I was okay and being there with me until I moved into independent housing”, he says.
Having spent time sleeping on the street he says, “I met a lot of very smart young people that wanted to do something with their lives.
"But certain circumstances didn’t allow them to do that. They need the support and opportunities to get there.”
He believes The London Walk holds importance, “It’s really important, it’s going to build awareness. It’s a nice way to show support, knowing that we have people behind us trying to understand and be more supportive.”
Providing support for the homeless
The Homeless Collective came together to make a difference, to work together with the collective aim of ending homelessness.
Sam Brown, Campaign Director for The Homeless Collective tells us, “The problems too big for one person to solve, too big for the government to solve.
“We need to work together to gently chip away at the problem and make a difference, and the London Walk is about showing that collective support.”
“Numbers are getting higher on the streets, particularly in more local areas where there isn’t as much support at the moment”, she says.
The Marylebone Project set up the first 24-hour drop-in centre for women with The Homeless Collective funding last year, but Stefanie tells us there’s still a way to go.
“This isn’t just affecting those on low income and benefits. It isn’t just veterans struggling with mental health and an alcohol and drugs problem.
“It’s a lot wider and less overt than that. I’m talking about everyone from all walks of life.
“Things can happen, there’s so many reasons that feed into someone becoming homeless and changes of circumstances that lead to that outcome”, she says.
Sam tells us, “Pre-pandemic 1 in 52 people in London were homeless. Those figures haven’t caught up yet. Hence, we need to be out on the streets making a big impact now.”
Stefanie Harvey, Homeless Collective’s Head of Fundraising adds: “It’s not a matter of giving someone a breakfast and a shower, that helps but it’s not the end of it.
“The walk will hopefully start that conversation, raise funds and help raise awareness as to what might then need to happen going forwards.”