We are excited to confirm that we have completed the purchase of Penny Wade House, our flagship hostel in Richmond, marking an important milestone in SPEAR’s long history of supporting people experiencing homelessness.
Located on Kew Road, Penny Wade House provides short-term accommodation for up to 14 people in single en-suite rooms with communal facilities, alongside tailored 24-hour support from key workers and specialist staff. The hostel supports people who have experienced street homelessness, helping them to identify their needs, build independent living skills and move on to more permanent accommodation, training, volunteering or work.
The hostel has a special place in SPEAR’s story. It was the first hostel the charity managed, named after our founder Penny Wade, and began life as a night shelter before becoming longer term accommodation in Richmond in 1989. Over the years, SPEAR has grown from this early provision into a broader network of services including outreach, tenancy support and specialist accommodation.
By securing Penny Wade House, we are strengthening our ability to continue this vital work in the borough of Richmond upon Thames for years to come. The purchase underlines our ongoing commitment to providing safe, supportive accommodation and a route towards independence for people who need it most.
