News and updates
Make sure Rough sleepers have everything they need this winter
The CEO's BlogJoin the 999 Club's vital mission to support Southeast London's homeless this winter. Every pound you donate is doubled, amplifying your impact in providing essential shelter and services. Learn how your contribution can make a real...
Statement in response to the Home Secretary’s comments re. Rough sleeping
999 Club News, AnnouncementsWe at the 999 Club were shocked by the statements made on Saturday by Home Secretary Suella Braverman in which she described rough sleeping as a “lifestyle choice”. We work with people sleeping rough on a daily basis and are therefore a...
Bridging Lewisham’s Housing Gap: Our Compassionate Approach
The CEO's BlogExtending a compassionate hand to help individuals escape homelessness. By enhancing income opportunities and mediating housing conversations, we're illuminating pathways towards stable housing amidst a challenging local housing landscape....
Breaking Bread, Building Bonds
The CEO's BlogHow 999 Club goes beyond meeting basic needs by using food as a medium for establishing trust and fostering relationships....
Good hope and bad hope
The CEO's BlogExplore the nuanced roles of 'good' and 'bad' hope in addressing homelessness. Drawing from philosophy and real-life experiences, this blog dives into how hope, when channelled correctly, can be a force for change....
Summer Escapism and Homelessness Solutions
The CEO's BlogHow deep-seated desires to escape can be channelled towards a hopeful and brighter future...
The situation is not getting better.
The CEO's BlogThere is a connection between homelessness and mental health and the situation is not getting better....
Charlie’s Story: From the Streets to Stability
Street StoriesOnce a permanent fixture at Deptford's Giffin Square, Charlie's life was a continual battle against homelessness and mental health disorders. Misunderstood, evicted, and unsupported, he existed rather than lived. His story took a...
Rising Homelessness in Lewisham and Greenwich
The CEO's BlogThere is an alarming increase in homelessness within Lewisham and Greenwich. We report a 59% rise in rough sleeping and the challenges faced in providing support and housing solutions....
Exploring the Flaws in the Current Temporary Housing System: Insights from Our CEO
The CEO's BlogOur CEO talks about how the current system for Temporary Housing is far from ideal....
Goals
The CEO's BlogFinding out someone’s goals and supporting them to achieve them is not as straightforward as it sounds…...
Expect to get shouted at
The CEO's BlogPeople experiencing homelessness may shout due to the traumatic experiences and barriers they face. Attempting to prevent this may lead to less effective support services....
In their words… Jim
Street StoriesJim was rough sleeping for 2 ½ years before he came to the 999 Club. He was a victim of escalating domestic violence. His whole world fell apart in a single night when he became homeless and suffered a severe mental breakdown. “I di...
A Sense of Purpose
The CEO's BlogBecoming a Tottenham Hotspur fan is one of the worst decisions I have ever made, but I do not regret it for a second. It’s led to lots of unhappiness but also given me a sense of purpose, however futile that may be. Ultimately, wellbei...
In 2010 I jumped out of a plane. It was the scariest thing I have ever done.
The CEO's BlogHomelessness can be a scary & dangerous experience. One with lasting negative consequences. But those same people can & do stop experiencing homelessness....
What can my ill-fated teenage attempts to economise teach us about homelessness?
999 Club News, The CEO's BlogAgencies must work together to help reduce the number of people sleeping on the streets of Lewisham....
Thank you National Lottery!
999 Club NewsFantastic news! National Lottery Awards for All Programme has awarded £10,000 to our Confidence, Resilience & Skills project. Through activities such as gardening, cooking and music, the project empowers and builds self-esteem in...
Eligibility criteria, referral routes and is a Jaffa cake a biscuit or a cake? All are discussed in the CEO’s new Blog!
The CEO's BlogCharles Potter was an incredibly distinguished lawyer who is mostly remembered now because of his views on Jaffa cakes. He was a hugely successful tax lawyer who appeared in the House of Lords no fewer than 25 times, and in the Privy Cou...
What does an academic going to a Balinese cockfight tell us about services for supporting people experiencing homelessness?
The CEO's BlogIn early April 1958, a 32 year old academic called Clifford Geertz arrived in a Balinese village with his wife to undertake research. Sadly for him, they were largely ignored by the villagers being seen as “intruders, professional ones,”...
Everyone’s Journey is Different
The CEO's BlogImagine you were hit by a van, and you broke your leg. A traumatic and devastating thing to happen. Now ask yourself, what would you do? You would call an ambulance and rush to hospital and get your limb seen to. What then? You might sta...
Sarah’s Story
Street StoriesSarah has been a victim of domestic violence and sexual assault, leading to her becoming on the streets of London. Here, she found that life was even harder and at one stage, she was gang raped, and becoming pregnant with her son as a re...
Every death is a tragedy
999 Club NewsA report by the Museum of Homelessness states 1,286 people died in the UK in 2021 whilst experiencing homelessness. This is a 32% increase on the numbers reported in 2020. Every death is a tragedy. We believe that the Government must w...
The privilege of a good night’s sleep
The CEO's Blog“I’m wide awake Dad! Let’s read a book!” my 7-year-old daughter proclaimed excitedly. It was 2am. I had been fast asleep. She wanted to explore the joyous expanse of the universe, to use her imagination, to raid the fridge, to pl...
Nathan’s Story
Street Stories“The 999 Club made me feel like I was worth something. I was in a bad place last year. I lost my job, I lost everything.” DONATE NOW...
Our doors are open once again
999 Club NewsWe are extremely happy to be opening our doors once again (in a Covid safe way) to provide support, advice and essential supplies to people experiencing homelessness in Lewisham. We are currently offering a reduced service which includes...
Building the future: The 999 club joins V&A to make upcycled furniture
999 Club NewsThe 999 Club is collaborating with the V&A to make upcycled furniture from exhibit packing crates. These will be displayed at London Design Festival....
Cycle team pedal on to fundraise for 999 Club
999 Club News, Fundraising eventsA team of three women and nine men took part in the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 event earlier this month (4th August). The twelve cyclists each battled 100 miles to raise thousands of pounds for the 999 Club which helps us run a nig...
Bruno: “If I hadn’t come to the 999 Club, I would be in the same situation – homeless”
Street StoriesFormer waiter Bruno, 41, became homeless and was sleeping in a park after he ran out of money... I had two rough nights sleeping in a park......
Architects pedal on to raise money for homelessness
999 Club News, Fundraising eventsGreenwich architects firm bptw has three staff donning their lycra to take part in the RideLondon 100 cycling event to raise money for the 999 Club charity. Two of the team visited us today (Wednesday) to find out more about what we do t...