Latest Updates

Record levels of rough sleeping in London

A record total of 4,780 people were recorded as sleeping rough in London between July and September 2024.
Twickenham Hub front door

Twickenham Hub reopened

Our Twickenham Hub office will be open again from Tuesday 22 October, following the successful completion of safety checks after a leak in our ceiling caused flooding and other damage.

Stadium Sleepout

We’re really excited to announce that SPEAR is the official charity partner of Fulham FC Foundation’s Stadium Sleepout at the iconic Craven Cottage Stadium.

Shane’s story: from homelessness to independent living

Shane found himself facing homelessness when irregular work meant he fell behind on his rent and was evicted from his housing association home.
Twickenham Hub front door

Twickenham Hub temporarily closed

Unfortunately, we have had to temporarily close our Twickenham Hub office due to a leak in our ceiling causing flooding and other damage.

SPEAR signs open letter to Angela Rayner

We’ve joined 46 organisations to sign an open letter to Angela Rayner with a fresh call to tackle the inequalities faced by homeless women.
Kingston HMO

New accommodation now open in Kingston

We’re really excited to have two additional accommodation services up and running in Kingston which will ensure that our clients are getting the high-quality accommodation and support they need.

SPEAR supports new migrant homelessness briefing

We’ve joined over 75 organisations in supporting a new policy briefing exploring the key drivers of, and potential solutions to, homelessness amongst migrants.

Improving services for the homeless Roma community in Kingston

Last week SPEAR hosted a co-production event which brought together people from the Roma rough sleeping community and those working with them to better understand their needs and explore ways to improve our services in Kingston.

Yellow alert for hot weather in London

SPEAR is encouraging those rough sleeping to stay alert as they are more vulnerable and may need help to stay safe.

SPEAR signs joint letter to party leaders

We’ve joined over 50 homelessness organisations in signing Homeless Link’s letter to Rishi Sunak, Sir Keir Starmer and Sir Ed Davey
Houses of Parliament

A joint letter to Ministers

Shortly before Parliament dissolved last month, we were one of 34 organisations who signed a letter to three ministers.

Kingston’s Celebrating Communities Awards

We were proud to have been nominated alongside EnhanceAble in the Working in Partnership Award at Kingston’s Celebrating Communities Awards

Thank you to all our volunteers!

This Volunteers’ Week we are celebrating the contributions our volunteers make to the lives of people sleeping rough in South West London.

Homeless Health Link Service shortlisted at Community Heroes Awards

Our Homeless Health Link Service was shortlisted in the Communities together category at Richmond Council’s Community Heroes Awards.
SPEAR staff and clients at a health and wellbeing day

Making an impact

Our impact report for 2023 details the progress we’ve made supporting people experiencing homelessness in South West London despite the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
Some of the Springboard participants with their Money Works certificates

Comic Relief and Red Nose Day 2024

From our Springboard project to days out filming, Comic Relief and Red Nose Day are helping us help more people escape homelessness.
SPEAR founder Penny Wade in an orchard

International Women’s Day: Penny Wade

This year at SPEAR we celebrate International Women’s Day by remembering our founder Penny Wade.

London Charter to End Rough Sleeping

On Thursday 7th of December SPEAR’s CEO joined the launch of London’s first rough sleeping charter – the London Charter to End Rough Sleeping.

Our Health Link work last Winter

Winter is a particularly challenging time for people sleeping rough, with cold temperatures causing ill-health and exacerbating existing health conditions. We received funding from the South West London Integrated Care System to deliver Health and Wellbeing Days to people experiencing homelessness.

SPEAR’s Homeless Health Link Service celebrates new funding from the National Lottery Community Fund

This month, we are delighted to celebrate the start of a new three-year funding award from the National Lottery Community Fund towards our Homeless Health Link Service.

SPEAR’s Homeless Health Link Service Evaluation Tender

This invitation to tender invites proposals to evaluate SPEAR’s Homeless Health Link service.

Homelessness organisations warn of impact of not extending energy support

We’ve joined Homeless Link and other homelessness organisations to write to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Grant Shapps, warning of the “devastating” impact of not extending the Government’s Energy Bill Relief Scheme beyond March 2023.

Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) activated in London

Severe Weather Emergency Protocol has been activated today. Our Outreach teams are working with Local Authorities to find suitable, safe provision for any rough sleepers in South West London.

Health & Wellbeing Day Richmond

On Wednesday the 9th of November, our Homeless Health Link Service organised a Health and Wellbeing Day alongside the NHS and other healthcare professionals to provide access to healthcare to people experiencing homelessness and seeking asylum.

Trustees’ Week 07-11 November

Trustees’ Week is a time for us to thank the wonderful work our Trustees do at SPEAR. Following this year’s theme “making a difference in changing times”, our Trustee Charlotta talks about her role and what we can do for our communities.

World Homeless Day – 10 October 2022

This year, both World Homeless Day and World Mental Health Day (Monday 10th October) are taking place in the context of a cost of living crisis.

Cost of living crisis: How SPEAR is providing support

In preparation for the impact of the cost of living crisis, our teams, and more particularly our Tenancy and Resettlement team, are working hard to ensure our clients receive the support they need.

Heatwave – Our emergency actions to support people experiencing homelessness

The Met Office has announced a 90% probability of Heat-Health Alert criteria being met on Tuesday 9th until perhaps Sunday 14th of August in London.

Pride Month & Community – An Interview with SPEAR’s Director of Operations

Ahead of the Month of Community this June, SPEAR’s Interim Director of Operations, Mark Taylor, talks about the sense of community present at SPEAR.
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SPEAR would like to thank the generous funding for our services from: