Established 2005 Registered Charity No. 1110656

Scottish Charity Register No. SC043760

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'Tis the season

December 01 2022

For a lot of people in London the festive period can be the least wonderful time of the year. A member of the team at The Connection at St. Martin’s shares what The Connection is offering this winter. By Sophie Glickman

At The Connection at St. Martin’s, we’ve seen more than 100 Christmases in Westminster. For most people, this brings excitement. For staff, the upcoming holidays mean time off work to relax with family. It gives supporters a chance to get more involved in our work giving them a sense they’ve really made a difference this year.

But what about the people we work with?

The truth is, Christmas can be a time of great joy but once the new year begins, this can quickly fade.

As the weather freezes, so can donations, leaving many without support in the harshest months of the year. Ultimately, a roast dinner and one night in a warm bed can’t undo years of trauma.

This year may be especially difficult as we’ve seen the number of people sleeping rough increase by 25% in the last year alone, while the cost of living crisis means resources are even more limited.

To make matters more distressing, many people struggle with their mental health at this time of year as it’s a stark reminder that, for some, they will have no home to put a Christmas tree in or family to celebrate with.

From the months of build-up, to the quick return, to the indifference many face while homeless, the winter months can be emotionally, physically and mentally draining for people who’ve already faced so much.

So what can we do?

What’s important is that no one faces this time of year alone. Even during what can be a lonely time of year, The Connection will welcome and support you with anything from a hot meal to searching for housing.

In a nutshell

  • If you would like support with homelessness this holiday season, visit The Connection at St. Martin’s centre at 12 Adelaide Street or call 020 7766 5544
  • Find information on Crisis at Christmas centres on page 18
  • The List in the centre pages of the magazine carries information on helpful services.

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April – May 2024 : Compassion

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