Union Chapel 'margins' homelessness projects.
The day centre was set up by Union Chapel Congregational Church in 1995 as a response to the amount of rough sleeping literally on the doorstep. Since then it has opened every Sunday including Christmas and Easter. Our popularity is no doubt due opening at the weekend, as well as our excellent cooking and friendly atmosphere, and the fact that we allow dogs!
People use day centres for many reasons, but every one of them is vulnerable is some way. A recent survey showed around 25% sleeping rough, and another 20% technically homeless, i.e. living in temporary accommodation such as a hostel, B&B, squat, nightshelter or sleeping on someone's floor. The rest may be housed, but have very often been homeless in the past; they may be socially marginalised, by poverty, unemployment, divorce, poor quality council housing; they are likely to have physical and mental health problems, and a history of drug or alcohol abuse; statistically many may been in care as children.
Around 150 clients visit the Margins homeless drop-in every Sunday afternoon between 2 and 5pm, along with 12-15 hardworking volunteers.
Clients get
Free hot meal
Place to shelter and socialise
Showers
Professional haircuts
Use of washing machine
Luggage lockers
Clothes store
Emergency housing advice is provided, and info from our in-house "North London Survival Guide" written by a volunteer who's been there, listing where else to get food, clothes, showers, access to a GP, dentist, nurse in London if you are homeless. Other services during the week incude an active Arts programme (see On the Move) and a bible study group. Plans are under discussion to see if we can incorporate services to those with mental health problems.
Clients come from all over the country: the majority are white British men between 30 and 55, but there are significant minorities of other Irish and West Indian UK black. 10-12% are women and children. There is a constant stream of new faces - between 5 and 10 every week - as well as many regulars and intermittent users (we've served an average of 146 meals per Sunday since January 2002.)
The Homelessness Project became part of Union Chapel Project in April 2002. Previously it was directly managed by Union Chapel Congregational Church. It has a turnover of about £35K pa with 4 part-time staff, including 2 cooks who each work 2 Sundays per month, and a Project manager, Gillian Murton, who works 25 hours per week.
Union Chapel 'Margins' Homelessness Project, Compton Avenue, London N1 2XD. Tel. 020 7704 6636.
Last revised date: 01/03/2007
