As families across the capital prepare for festive celebrations, a central London homelessness charity is working to ensure dozens of rough sleepers do not spend Christmas on the streets. The Connection at St Martin's, with substantial extra funding from Westminster City Council, is transforming into a night shelter to provide crucial respite during the holiday period.
A Lifeline of Stability and Safety
The initiative, active for two weeks from Monday, December 22, will offer 50 additional sleeping spaces, supported by staff and volunteers working around the clock. For service users, this provision means far more than just a roof. Gaylon O'Neill David Brown, who has experienced homelessness on and off for two decades, told reporters that a bed represents "a bit of stability," a rare commodity after spending multiple Christmases without secure accommodation.
Another couple, George Oncica and his wife, became homeless after eviction from their flat due to rent arrears. While managing to camp under the Golden Jubilee Bridges near Embankment, George expressed deep concern for his wife's asthma. "It means a lot… even about the safety because sometimes in the street there is also some problems," he said, highlighting the dual need for warmth and security. The shelter also accommodates those with pets, a significant barrier to accessing many services, allowing one man to give his vigilant Husky-mix dog a well-earned rest.
Building Trust with a Vulnerable Community
The charity's chief executive, Pam Orchard, explained that they see up to 120 people daily seeking help for reasons ranging from hot meals and showers to accessing medical and legal services. The centre hosts NHS nurses, dentists, podiatrists, immigration lawyers, and therapists, operating a strict "hand-off" referral policy that respects individual autonomy. Pam noted the complex challenges faced, with an estimated 80% of rough sleepers being men, and many dealing with mental health and addiction issues.
"We are really keen to offer this provision for two weeks over Christmas so that we can get the people we are the most concerned about inside," Orchard stated. She emphasised this period as a critical opportunity to build relationships and trust with individuals often deeply wary of authorities, with the ultimate goal of guiding them towards long-term accommodation and support.
Council Funding and a Glimmer of Hope in the Data
The emergency shelter is made possible by £700,000 in extra funding from Westminster City Council. Council Leader Adam Hug said the project was about specialist staff accessing people in crisis to offer pathways away from the streets. This forms part of a wider annual homeless services programme funded by the council and government, totalling £16 million.
This local effort coincides with a tentative positive shift in London-wide figures. A report from the Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN) recorded 4,711 people sleeping rough between July and September, marking a 1% annual decrease—the first drop in three years. However, the number of people deemed to be living on the streets rose by 11%, indicating the ongoing complexity of the crisis.
For the 50 individuals securing a place at The Connection this Christmas, the offer is a simple but profound one: stability, warmth, and a chance to turn a page.
