Established 2005 Registered Charity No. 1110656

Scottish Charity Register No. SC043760

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August – September 2026 : Here and now READ ONLINE

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Smells like team spirit

August 01 2026
Emdad (second left) on outreach in London. © Emdad Rahman Emdad (second left) on outreach in London. © Emdad Rahman

How compassion and group effort make a difference in outreach. By Emdad Rahman

There is no better time to care than here and now. Homelessness is rarely a single event and it is often the final chapter in a long sequence of hardship, where illness, family breakdown, unemployment, rising living costs, debt, trauma and poor mental health quietly gather until stability disappears.

Behind every sleeping bag in a doorway is a life that once held ordinary routines, ambitions and relationships. The greatest mistake society can make is to see homelessness instead of humanity.

The philosophy of here and now asks us to stop postponing kindness. Too often we assume someone else will help tomorrow or when circumstances improve.

Yet hope is built in the present moment. A warm meal offered today, a sincere conversation, a clean pair of socks or simply acknowledging another person’s dignity can become the turning point that reminds someone they have not been forgotten.

That belief came vividly to life when I joined Sunnamusk, a fragrance brand, alongside community partners, for some homeless outreach work. Together the collaboration provides street kitchens, hot food distributions, bottled water, winter clothing, toiletries, thoughtful gifts and even fragrances for guests.

Working alongside the Newham Community Project, we shared nourishing hot meals and conversation with homeless friends, including many rough sleepers.

To me, this work reflects the here and now philosophy perfectly. Whether serving communities locally or engaging supporters internationally, the message remains consistent: compassion should never be delayed by status or convenience.

Every act of service creates another opportunity for connection, understanding and hope.

Chief executive of Sunnamusk Kazi Abidur Rahman understands this deeply. Coming from very humble working class beginnings, he has never forgotten the importance of serving those who face life’s greatest challenges.

He reflects: “Our greatest success will never be measured by bottles sold, but by lives touched. Grassroots service keeps our hearts grounded.

“Every blessing we receive carries the responsibility to be kind to others and there is no richer reward than restoring hope where it has almost disappeared.”

Those words capture a timeless truth. Kindness is not an expense but an investment in humanity.

Our outreach was made even more memorable by viral internet sensation The Joshie Man, whose infectious enthusiasm transformed the atmosphere. Despite facing personal barriers and challenges of his own, Joshie consistently uses his growing platform to spread positivity, entertain diverse audiences and encourage inclusion.

Homeless charity Shelter estimates that at least 382,618 people are homeless in England (including 175,025 children) – around one in every 153 people.  

Behind every statistic lies an individual story that cannot be reduced to data alone.

Many people experiencing homelessness remain hidden from official counts, sleeping in temporary accommodation, sofas, vehicles or insecure housing arrangements. Prevention, early intervention and sustained community support are essential.

Communities can all play a part. Supporting local shelters, volunteering at food projects, donating practical essentials, advocating for affordable housing, challenging harmful stereotypes and treating every person with dignity all contribute towards meaningful change.

Sometimes listening without judgement is as valuable as anything we can place into someone’s hands.

Homelessness challenges our conscience because it asks what kind of society we wish to become.

The answer is not found in distant promises but in present action.

Here and now is where empathy begins, where communities unite, where strangers become neighbours and where hope quietly returns. Every shared meal, every conversation and every simple act of respect reminds us that the strongest foundations are built not from wealth, but from compassion lived today.

< Tour guide I am here, it is now >
August – September 2026 : Here and now

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