The Passage

It's been a busy period so I'll keep this one brief. Last year in December, we gave to Hackney Night Shelter, a homelessness charity that I've volunteered with a few times in the past year. They stressed to me the importance of increased support around Winter time with temperatures reaching 0°C and below. I was thinking about giving to them again this month until I came across The Passage, a similar charity that operates more close to central London. 

I wouldn't have guessed this but rough sleeping rates in Westminster are among the highest in the whole of the UK (and 20% of London's total). The Passage not only provide meals and emergency shelter, but also help alleviate homelessness in the long term. They have specialized teams to assist with welfare rights, money management, immigration, and support for victims of modern slavery. They also have accommodation teams to find longer-term housing for clients. 

From April 2023 to March 2024, The Passage assisted over 2,140 individuals, served nearly 35,000 meals, prevented homelessness for 844 people, and secured housing for 325 individuals. Their work has directly reduced rough sleeping and fostered sustainable resettlement. 

Importantly, for every £1 that they raise, 91p goes directly to frontline services. 

We gave £350 to The Passage in December 2024.