NORTH LONDON ACTION FOR THE HOMELESS
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Mission Statement
North London Action for the Homeless runs a drop-in centre that is open to all who are homeless or in need with an ethos of service, respect and acceptance and strives to influence policy and overcome barriers to accommodation and other services to which homeless and excluded people are entitled.
About This Cause
North London Action for the Homeless (NLAH) has run sessions for homeless people, the socially isolated, and those in financial hardship in Hackney for over 30 years. We are a local charity; over 70% of our service users and many volunteers and donors are based in Hackney. NLAH was established in direct response to the basic needs of rough sleepers and homeless people, and in recent years we have seen their numbers increase dramatically. We have an experienced and committed team of volunteers and receive huge support from local businesses. As well as meals, NLAH aims to provide a sense of community to people who feel isolated or find themselves on the margins. NLAH opens twice a week (Monday lunch: noon–1.30pm and Wednesday supper: 6–7.30pm) and provides a substantial vegetarian meal. NLAH works in partnership with other agencies, such as Turning Point, Groundswell, Thames Reach and more. OUR HEALTHY FOOD We are proud to serve nutritious vegetarian food year round, and to have kept the service going through the pandemic. Thanks to feedback from our service users and conversations with partnership organisations, we are aware of an increase in financial hardship and the current need for people on low/no income for free nutritional meals in their community. Each of our bi-weekly session is attended by up to 140 people. 25% are currently sleeping rough and 63% have been homeless in the last 5 years. 92% of our service users are on benefits or survive without any income at all, and 57% have a long-term illness or disability. We offer a free substantial vegetarian meal as well as clothes, washing facilities, laundry and haircuts. We enjoy a great deal of support from local businesses and the community: 95% of the food we serve is cooked using food surplus and donations from our local community. Our service users appreciate the availability of healthy food twice a week as it helps them manage on low incomes, going some way towards meeting their nutritional needs. The regularity of the sessions is particularly important in overcoming social exclusion for people with mental health issues. About half of our service users report struggling with mental health issues. During our Service Users Forum, people have explained the importance of sitting around tables and socialising at our drop-in. Many mentioned feeling very lonely. OUR ADVOCACY SERVICES A Homeless Link report identified that 73% of homeless people felt they needed more advice to help them access accommodation. Since October 2019, we have worked in partnership with Hackney Council to provide housing advice. Our staff also provide advocacy support during the drop-in. In the past year, we have done so for over 55 individuals. This includes referrals to night shelters, streetlinks, registering with a GP and support with benefits. In addition, we provide advice, support, and health services through outreach teams from professional agencies. We work closely in partnership with local organisations such as Hackney Migrant Centre and Hackney Winter Night Shelter and host regular visits from other agencies. OUR GARDEN PROJECT Our gardening project – Evering Road Kitchen Garden – focuses primarily on wellbeing. It provides a safe space for people to socialise and connect with nature via activities including gardening and cooking. The garden aims to be a safe space to experience a sense of belonging, enjoy healthy relationships, work together as a group, share, learn and give. If required, our gardeners can also receive informal support from a mental health nurse during sessions.