The Connection at St Martin's

🌡️ London is experiencing another heatwave, and while many of us can seek shade, cool spaces, or a cold drink, people sleeping rough often have nowhere safe to escape the heat.

If you see someone sleeping rough during hot weather, you can help by:
💧 Offering a bottle of water
🧢 Directing them to a cool, shaded place if possible
📱 Alerting StreetLink if you're concerned about someone's welfare
🚑 Calling 999 if someone appears seriously unwell or unresponsive

Extreme heat can be dangerous and even life-threatening for people experiencing homelessness.

Our outreach teams are out every day providing water, welfare checks, advice and support to people sleeping rough across Westminster.

If you'd like to help us reach more people during the heatwave, please consider making a donation to support our outreach work.

👉 Donate today: www.weatherappeal.com

Every donation helps us provide vital support when it's needed most.

🌡️ London's Hot SWEP has been activated, and we're responding.

The is in place across the capital as temperatures hit dangerous levels. For people sleeping rough, extreme heat is a genuine risk to life.

As part of the city-wide response, we're working to make sure no one is left without support this week.

If you'd like to help us reach more people, please donate at www.weatherappeal.com

Every pound makes a difference. Please share. 🙏

Earlier this month, a member of the House of Lords stood up in Parliament and told one of our service user's stories.

During the Second Reading debate on the Social Housing Bill, Lord Russell Rook spoke about Carla and Chloe — Carla, who experienced two decades of homelessness following a relationship breakdown, and Chloe, her caseworker at , who built the trust and relationship that helped Carla access support and secure a place in a women-only hostel.

Lord Russell Rook also referenced the Frontline Network — findings from a recent Frontline survey showing 80% of those working with homeless people believe homelessness is getting worse, and 50% are themselves at risk of burnout.

His message to the House: housing alone isn't enough. Complex human problems need deeply relational solutions, and that means investing in the frontline workers, like Chloe, who turn a house into a home.

We're proud that Carla and Chloe's story, first shared as part of our Christmas appeal and helped make that case in Parliament.

📊 Women are missing from rough sleeping statistics, and it's costing lives.

The 2025 Women's Rough Sleeping Census found up to 10x more women sleeping rough in some areas than official government counts recorded. In six local authorities, snapshot counts found zero women sleeping rough — the Census found 162.

Why the gap? Because women's rough sleeping often looks different, and official counts don't capture it:

🔹 65% had slept in places excluded from official counts — buses, A&E waiting rooms, public transport
🔹 49% walked around all night to avoid sleeping visibly
🔹 38% weren't receiving support from a housing officer or homelessness organisation

This isn't a small data error. It's women being missed by the system, again and again.

627 corporate volunteers gave their time at our day centre last year, and every single one made a difference. 🙌

Behind every number is a conversation, a meal served, a moment of connection. You help us be there for people who need it most.

Thank you — from everyone at The Connection at St Martin's.

has been activated in London.

☀️ Hot weather can be deadly if you’re homeless.

While many of us are enjoying the sunshine, people sleeping rough are at serious risk. Dehydration, sunburn and heatstroke can all be life-threatening—and unlike in winter, there aren’t many emergency measures in place when the temperature rises.

But we’re stepping in.

🧴 Our team is out on the streets handing out water, suncream and light clothing.
🏠 We’re keeping our day centre open longer to offer shade and rest.
🛏️ We’re also opening up overnight spaces to keep people safe.

Last summer, our teams helped 386 people stay safe and well during the hottest months of the year. This summer, with your support, we can reach even more.

👉 You can help right now by purchasing essential supplies at https://ow.ly/xs4E50Z4aAF

💙 Every bit of support makes a difference—and could help save a life this summer.

Looking to give back to your community? 💙

We’re looking for volunteers to support our work at The Connection and help people experiencing homelessness in London.

Whether you can give a few hours or volunteer more regularly, your time can make a real difference.

Find out more at the link below.

https://www.connection-at-stmartins.org.uk/volunteer/

🏠 Finding Somewhere to Call Home 🏠

Helping people access safe, suitable accommodation is a vital part of what we do at The Connection.

Our team supports people every step of the way — from finding the right housing, applying, and moving in, to settling into their new place and working towards independence.

But the challenge is huge: the number of people sleeping rough in Westminster remains high and is increasing significantly every year, while many housing offers still don’t meet people’s needs.

That’s why we’re working hard to increase and improve accommodation options by building stronger partnerships and creating new pathways into housing that lasts.

👉 Together, we can help more people find a place to call home.

Learn more: https://www.connection-at-stmartins.org.uk/what-we-do/finding-somewhere-to-call-home/

Finding somewhere to call home Helping people to find somewhere to call home is a vital part of what we do. This year, 178 people moved into accommodation with our support.