In 2021, the LSE Volunteer Centre launched its ‘Take Action’ Seminar Series which aims to explore some of the most pressing issues faced by society and how the LSE community can make a difference. Each term, the Volunteer Centre selects topics for the seminars based on causes that the LSE community is passionate about.  

This term, our seminar and panel focused on the issue of homelessness, asking the following questions: why has it gone up in London over the past decade? What are some of the issues those affected by homelessness face? What can the LSE community do to take action?  

We invited a variety of individuals with unique qualifications surrounding the topic of homelessness to make our conversation more robust and engaging. This included James Relf (LSESU General Secretary), Professor Christine Whitehead (Deputy Director of LSE London), Marina Darco (Coordinator at The Connection at St Martin’s in the Field), and Luis Ventura (London Programme Manager at AMURT UK’s London Feeding Programme). 

Keep reading to learn more about conversations that took place during the seminar!  

The history of homelessness in the UK 

When discussing homelessness, Christine explained the two different kinds that are most used in conversation: people who are sleeping rough (on the streets) and those who are in temporary housing, which is more often families. Homelessness is not a new problem, and LSE was almost the centre of single rough sleepers in the 1980s due to its proximity to Lincoln’s Inn Fields. The Fields were the central London location to get a meal, with multiple charities attending every night.  

Furthermore, in the 1970s, families who had no accommodation could go to local authorities and receive support through temporary accommodation. Today, there is an urgent crisis with a lack of not only temporary accommodation, but also permanent with the cost-of-living crisis and housing shortage. With there being an increasing number of individuals under 30 that are living outside of their families’ homes, more individuals are in need of housing. As a result, the rent sector in general is inefficient and local authorities are overwhelmed and lacking capacity to support the full breadth of individuals who need support.  

So, is homelessness getting worse?  

Based on this history of homelessness, one might think that it has never been worse. But, according to Christine, it’s “very difficult to know.” Of course, there are certainly cycles and patterns within homelessness itself, as well as the discourses surrounding homelessness, but precisely being able to say that homelessness is “getting worse” is a loaded question and requires critical engagement to define what “worse” means.  

As Christine reiterated, homelessness is involuntary, or better yet a “lifestyle not by choice.” In addition to examining statistics reflecting what might be categorized as “better” versus “worse,” we can ask what preventative and supportive measures are being taken to support those who are homeless or are a rough sleeper. This includes asking what the LSE community can do to intervene in the cycle of homelessness that our campus has been a part of and witness to for a very long time.  

What support systems are available for those who are homeless and rough sleepers?  

Marina and Luis both represent some of the fantastic organisations in London that help those who face homelessness and rough sleeping every single day. Marina, the Coordinator for The Connection at St Martin’s in the Fields, told us more about The Connections services, which are mainly organised around supporting rough sleepers in central London. Their primary focus is on attending to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: providing opportunities for fresh food, showers, and space for rest. However, they also have activities, spaces for socialising, and volunteering and employer fairs to bolster their services.  

As there are nearly 200 individuals who are classified as rough sleepers any given night in their jurisdiction of Westminster, The Connection also brings attention to the variety of circumstances that lead to rough sleeping—from mental health crises to addiction to simply not be able to afford a raise in rent.  

Luis, the Programme Manager for AMURT UK London Feeding Programme, also spoke more on their mission, which is largely to provide fresh and healthy food to individuals who need it. They have multiple distribution points across London on the street, in warm spaces, and in GP offices that specialise in working with homeless or undocumented people; one of these distributions points is in Lincoln’s Inn Fields by LSE.  

AMURT UK places special attention to the quality of the food that they provide, aiming to serve delicious but also nutritious meals, including treats and warm drinks. They also provide opportunities for socialising with the beneficiaries, as many individuals who are homeless or are rough sleepers face isolation, shame, and guilt. A simple chat can help reinstill dignity and impact the quality of their life. Additionally, they signpost to other services which can further support their beneficiaries.  

The Connection and AMURT are two organisations who exemplify some of the amazing charities organising around homelessness and rough sleeping, providing life-changing support services. But beyond the practical work that they do, both organisation challenge dominant narratives and stereotypes surrounding homelessness as a whole. As Luis said in the seminar, there are a “rainbow of issues that leads [someone] to homelessness and to rough sleeping,” often tied to the fragility of support systems that exist as preventative action in the first place.  

What can students do to take action? 

The cause of homelessness is something that students in London care about deeply, something that James articulated during the panel. LSE students often hear about hidden homelessness and often know peers who are ‘couch-surfing and in between accommodations,’ if not experience this themselves, or encounter rough sleepers on campus. All of this is a reminder that having consistent housing is precarious and inherently tied to fragile support systems.  

Additionally, James noted to attendees that this generation of the LSE student community sees how much is being ‘done’ by politicians and organisers, and yet it often feels like nothing is being ‘done.’ However, he also reminded us of that LSE students not only want to know the causes of things but are highly motivated to change the world. So, what can students do to take action surrounding homelessness?  

Both Marina and Luis represent wonderful charities that organise around supporting rough sleepers and those who are homeless. Volunteering with or donating to them are excellent ways to get started:  

• The Connection at St Martin’s in the Fields: they are currently developing their volunteering programme but have one-off initiatives that involve volunteers. The LSE Volunteer Centre and The Connection are partnering up for one of our one-off volunteering opportunities in December, Carol Singing at Charing Cross!  
• AMURT UK London Feeding Programme: they need volunteers for every aspect of their services, including cooking, distributing and signposting. There are opportunities available for individuals with specific expertise like marketing, web design, etc., too!  

Furthermore, there are multiple other charities such as the Volunteer Centre’s partner, St Mungo’s, and RAG’s partner, Fat Macy’s, which work to end homelessness and support those in need through a variety of types of assistance. You can also search on CareerHub for other organisation who have similar missions.  

It is important to note that organising around homelessness doesn’t always look like the traditional food kitchen volunteering—it can also be other therapeutic and supportive measures and based on our conversations during the ‘Take Action’ seminar, there are meaningful intersecting ways in which we can make our communities a more supportive place for all.