A recent experience painfully illustrated how misunderstood homelessness still is and why the work of the 999 Club is so vital.  I was on a packed rush-hour train from central London to the South East. A man walked into the carriage and began explaining to fellow passengers that he was hoping for some help with spare change. He had barely … Read More

It is with strong and mixed emotions that I have announced that I am stepping down from being CEO of 999 Club. These past three and a half years have been the most rewarding of my career, the 999 Club is a special place and it’s been an honour and a privilege to be part of it. What a journey … Read More

Jimmy had come into 999 Club for the early bird breakfast. which we provide twice a week from our Gateway Drop-in Centre. He had been sleeping on the streets, was hungry and had heard 999 Club was a safe place to come. He had some hot food and started to relax. The people serving the food seemed friendly, so he … Read More

Join 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 difference during the cost-of-living crisis.

Extending 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.

How 999 Club goes beyond meeting basic needs by using food as a medium for establishing trust and fostering relationships.

Explore 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.

How deep-seated desires to escape can be channelled towards a hopeful and brighter future

There is a connection between homelessness and mental health and the situation is not getting better.

There 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.

Our CEO talks about how the current system for Temporary Housing is far from ideal.

Finding out someone’s goals and supporting them to achieve them is not as straightforward as it sounds…

People experiencing homelessness may shout due to the traumatic experiences and barriers they face. Attempting to prevent this may lead to less effective support services.

Becoming 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, wellbeing comes and goes but sense of purpose keeps us going. It all began at a … Read More

Homelessness can be a scary & dangerous experience. One with lasting negative consequences. But those same people can & do stop experiencing homelessness.

Charles 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 Council a further dozen times. In 1991 he said that Jaffa cakes are cakes or biscuits. McVities had … Read More

In 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,” as Geertz wrote. The landlord and village chief were the only people that would speak with them. Ten days after their … Read More

Imagine 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 start the long process of rehab, undertaking recommended exercises, sometimes under supervision and sometimes independently. … Read More