Celebrating International Day of Charity 2025: A London Focus

International Day of Charity on the 5th of September, is a crucial time to reflect on the power of giving and the profound impact of community support. It’s a day to remember that even the smallest act of kindness can create a ripple effect, changing lives for the better.

At Elliot Leigh, we have always believed that a home is a fundamental right, not a luxury. The housing crisis remains one of the most pressing issues in the UK. Recent government statistics show a dire picture: at the end of March 2025, a record-breaking 131,140 households were in temporary accommodation across England, a 12% increase in just one year. This includes 169,050 children, a number that has also reached a new, devastating high. The situation is particularly acute in London, where the number of people sleeping rough rose by 10% between April 2024 and March 2025.

Our commitment to social responsibility, particularly within the London housing sector, is a core part of who we are. We are immensely proud of our work with our partners in local government, and on this special day, we want to shine a light on some of the extraordinary charities that are on the frontline of this crisis. Their tireless efforts provide a lifeline to those most in need and are essential to addressing the root causes and effects of homelessness.

Spotlight on London's Homelessness Charities

The housing crisis remains one of the most pressing issues in the UK. According to recent data from the Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN), the number of people sleeping rough in London rose by 10% between April 2024 and March 2025, with a staggering 13,231 individuals forced to sleep on the streets. This highlights the urgent need for action, and these four organisations are leading the charge.

Crisis

Crisis is the national charity for people experiencing homelessness. They offer vital direct support, providing a wide range of services to help people access benefits, healthcare, and employment, all while campaigning for the systemic changes needed to end homelessness for good. Their work focuses on long-term solutions, aiming to help people rebuild their lives and find a way out of homelessness permanently.

Why We Support Them: Crisis’s mission to provide sustainable, long-term housing solutions resonates deeply with our own values. Their relentless campaigning for lasting change is crucial to addressing the root causes of the crisis.

You can help Crisis to continue their vital work. A monthly donation of just £10 could help fund a support worker to help someone budget and manage their expenses as they settle into their new home. Please consider supporting them today.

Donate to Crisis

Single Homeless Project (SHP)

Single Homeless Project (SHP) is a London-based charity dedicated to helping Londoners in crisis leave homelessness behind and find a place to call home. With over 50 years of experience, their comprehensive support system tackles the underlying causes of homelessness, helping people to not only secure a roof over their heads but also to rebuild their lives. In the last year alone, SHP helped over 10,000 Londoners, including rehousing over 1,300 individuals and helping over 1,300 into education, training or employment.

Why We Support Them: We share SHP's belief that everyone should have a place to call home and the chance to lead a fulfilling life. Their work in empowering individuals to move from crisis to independence aligns perfectly with our own objectives.

Support SHP in their mission to empower Londoners to transform their lives. Your contribution can help provide vital accommodation and support to those who need it most.

Donate to Single Homeless Project

Shelter

Shelter fights for a safe and secure home for everyone. Their London-specific work is particularly impactful, with expert helplines and legal aid services providing crucial housing advice to those facing homelessness or living in bad housing. Last year, over five million people turned to Shelter for advice, demonstrating the immense need for their services.

Why We Support Them: At Elliot Leigh, we believe in the importance of expert advice and support. Shelter’s work providing legal and practical assistance is an essential part of ensuring everyone has access to a secure home, a commitment we share.

For every £1 donated, Shelter spends 79p on directly helping people. Your donation can help provide life-saving advice and support to families in crisis. Please give what you can to help them continue their work.

Donate to Shelter

Centrepoint

Centrepoint is the UK's leading charity for homeless young people aged 16-25. Their work goes beyond accommodation, offering essential health support, life skills, and a clear path back into education, training, or employment. The need for their services is growing; recent reports show that a young person becomes homeless every four minutes in the UK, with over 118,000 young people facing homelessness in the last year alone.

Why We Support Them: Our own Supported Living Division (Elliot Leigh TLC) has a deep connection with the work Centrepoint does. We share a common purpose: to provide high-quality, supported living for vulnerable young people, giving them the tools and support they need to build independent and successful lives.

By supporting Centrepoint, you can help fund a safe place to stay for a young person, offering them the stability and support they need to move on to live independently.

Donate to Centrepoint

Elliot Leigh's Social Impact: One Home at a Time

Our commitment to social responsibility is deeply embedded in our business model. Our Guaranteed Rent scheme, established in 2003, was created to support a local authority initiative to introduce private landlords to the social housing sector. This scheme ensures that landlords receive a guaranteed rent while their property is used to provide safe, secure housing for those in need.

Furthermore, our Supported Living Division, Elliot Leigh TLC, provides high-quality, semi-independent accommodation for young people aged 16 to 25. This includes specialised services for parents with babies, offering a stable and nurturing environment. We’ve seen firsthand the positive impact this work has on our clients, providing a safe haven for vulnerable individuals and families and setting them on the path to a brighter future.

Our Ongoing Commitment

The fight to end homelessness is a collective effort, and we are incredibly proud to play our part. On International Day of Charity, we honour the vital work of Crisis, SHP, Shelter, and Centrepoint, and countless other organisations across the UK.

At Elliot Leigh, we will continue our unwavering dedication to social responsibility and our work to help address the UK housing crisis. Together, we can make a tangible difference. We encourage everyone to take action—whether through donating, volunteering, or simply spreading awareness—to help make a difference in your communities and fight for everyone's right to a safe home.