As we all adjust to what Christmas could look like under COVID-19, there are many for whom Christmas is never a time for celebration. Those battling homelessness face a winter of increased hardship, with many of the challenges they contend with being compounded by the pandemic, especially when it comes to mental health.
This winter, thousands of people experiencing homelessness will be placed in temporary accommodation. Hidden away in B&Bs, hostels and guesthouses, many are left here to face homelessness alone, with no knowledge of their rights, and no way out of homelessness.
Due to safety measures, people with complex needs are living alone in tiny rooms, with no communal areas, no visitors, and no support staff around to help. Already living with the trauma of losing their homes and the impact this has on their mental wellbeing, many individuals struggle to remain connected to society.
With lockdown underway, Justlife – a homeless charity based in Manchester and Brighton – is aiming to meet the rising demand for their support by adapting and extending their services to reach those living in the darkest corners of England’s housing system.
To combat loneliness, Justlife has set up “Check in and Chat”, a one-to-one phone call service that gives people isolating in temporary accommodation an opportunity to connect with volunteers and build relationships with their wider community.
Justlife’s “Creative Studio” has transitioned to online meet ups, where artists with current or lived experience of homelessness are welcome to join painting sessions and workshops to keep the community connections alive throughout lockdown.
Since March, Justlife has delivered over 10,000 meals to people who are self-isolating in temporary accommodation with no cooking facilities, continuing to deliver over 300 food parcels, 7 days a week, on top of their usual frontline work.
From midday on the 1st-8th of December, all donations made to Justlife on the Big Give website are matched by champion funders, giving supporters the opportunity to double the impact of their generosity, at no extra cost to them.
“It’s been an amazing privilege to lead Justlife during this challenging year and see the way we have adapted our support for the hidden homeless quickly and effectively. We have delivered thousands of meals, hundreds of food parcels, tablets to combat loneliness, and developed a phone befriending service.
The Big Give comes at the perfect time because demand for our services continues to rise and the money raised will enable us to give people experiencing homelessness the time and attention they deserve.” – Simon Gale, CEO of Justlife
