Understanding Rough Sleeping

Rough sleeping is a devastating form of homelessness that refers to people who sleep in open spaces, including streets, doorways, parks, and bus shelters. It has severe impacts on mental and physical health, with individuals 17 times more likely to face violence than the general population.

In London, 11,993 people were reported sleeping rough in 2023, while 324,990 households in England face homelessness this year.

However, with the right support and intervention, individuals can access the resources they need to overcome challenges like mental illness and addiction.

Croydon Council has developed comprehensive strategies to provide this support, such as their “no second night out” policy, which ensures that rough sleepers are connected with appropriate accommodation within 24 hours.

However, barriers such as residency status can sometimes limit access to these services, making it essential for both public and private sectors to be aware of how to support rough sleepers effectively.

Approaching and Helping Someone Who Is Rough Sleeping

If you encounter someone sleeping rough, it is essential to approach them with respect and kindness. Many individuals who find themselves in this situation have experienced trauma and hardship. While you may want to help directly, the most effective way to assist is to connect them with professional services and support agencies.

How to Help Someone You See Sleeping Rough:

If They Are Known to Local Services: Contact Croydon Reach at CRDuty@thamesreach.org.uk and provide the following details:

• Name (if given)
• Exact location
• Date/time and duration of their presence
• Any concerns or observations

If They Are Not Known to Local Services: Use the Street Link app or call 0300 500 0914 to report the individual. When doing so, include:

• Exact location
• Date/time and duration
• Description (gender, age, clothing)
• Immediate concerns

What Happens Next?

Once Street Link verifies the report, they will refer the individual to Croydon Reach, which will provide housing assistance and support with health issues. If the individual is under 18, it is important to contact the police immediately.

Key Support Services for Rough Sleepers in Croydon

Several organisations in Croydon provide essential services for rough sleepers and those at risk of homelessness:

• Crisis Skylight Croydon: Provides access to showers and other support for those facing or at risk of homelessness. They operate Monday to Friday, 10 AM – 4 PM (closed on Bank Holidays) at 12 Surrey St, Croydon CR0 1RG. Self-referral can be done via croydon@crisis.org.uk or 0203 848 1700.
• CAYSH: Offers supported accommodation for young people aged 16-25 with a connection to Croydon. Contact 020 8726 6100 ext. 84307 for assessments for 16-17-year-olds.
• Change Grow Live (CGL): Provides drug and alcohol support services, including therapy, substitute medication, and detox referrals. Open Monday to Friday, 10 AM – 5 PM at Lantern Hall, 190 Church Road, Croydon, CR0 1SH. Reach them at 0300 123 9288 or Croydon.info@cgl.org.uk.
• SLaM Homeless Outreach (START): Engages and assesses street homeless individuals with severe mental health issues. Available from 10 AM to 4 PM at 020 3228 5911 or startteam@slam.nhs.uk.
• London Youth Gateway: A partnership offering holistic support for young people aged 18-25, helping them achieve long-term stability in housing and well-being. Contact them through www.londonyouthgateway.org.uk or 0800 1601 106.
• Croydon Homeless Help: Specialises in health services for homeless individuals and asylum seekers. They provide nurse-led primary care, including immunizations and screenings. Open Monday to Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM (appointments required) at The Rainbow Health Centre. Call 020 8274 6070.
• Evolve Housing + Support: Offers a 24/7 assessment hub and beds for up to 15 people for up to 72 hours, as well as assessments of financial, health, and housing situations. Referrals are through Croydon Council’s homelessness assessment team, Croydon Reach, or Crisis.

Additional Support Resources

• Medical Emergency: Call 999
• Urgent Medical Problem: Call 111
• Urgent Mental Health Support (24/7): MIND Helpline at 0300 123 3393 | www.mind.org.uk
• SLAM Advice Line: 0800 731 2864 (option 1)
• Samaritans: 116 123 or jo@samaritans.org
• CALM: 0808 802 5869 (emotional support for suicidal men)
• SHOUT: 85258 (free, confidential text support)
• National LGBT Domestic Abuse Line: 0800 999 5428
• National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 200 0247 | www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk
• RASASC (Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre): 0808 802 999 | www.rasasc.org
• Universal Credit Phone Line: 0800 328 5644

Daily Access to Support in Croydon

Throughout the week, various projects provide immediate access to essentials such as food, clothing, and hygiene items:

• Nightwatch Croydon: Offers hot food, sleeping bags, and clothing at Queens Gardens, Fell Road. Available every night from 9:30 PM. Visit www.croydonnightwatch.org.uk.
• The Well: Provides hot lunch, clothes, toiletries, and support services at Salvation Army Citadel, Booth Road. Available on Mondays from 11 AM – 1 PM. More information at www.salvationarmy.org.uk/croydon-citadel.
• Swan Soup Kitchen: Distributes food, clothes, and essential items outside Thornton Heath Mosque. Monday evenings from 6:30 PM – 7:00 PM. Visit www.swanlondon.org.
• AR Food Project: Offers hot meals, hygiene essentials, and clothing at Croydon Islamic Community Trust. Available on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:45 PM. Visit www.arprojects.org.
• Church of God (Seventh Day): Provides a warm welcome, coffee, chat, and a hot lunch at Church of God, Derby Road. Tuesdays from 10 AM – 1 PM. Contact 0208 688 6094 or croydon@cog7thday.org.uk.
• Selhurst Community Kitchen: Supplies hot meals, food parcels, clothing, and toiletries at Croydon SDA Church Hall. Tuesdays from 6 PM – 7:30 PM. More info at www.croydonadventist.org/community-kitchen.
• Streatham Foodbank: Provides food support for the vulnerable at South London Islamic Centre. Tuesdays from 10 AM – 11:30 AM. For referrals, contact 07973501274.
• CK Express (NTCGWC): Serves hot drinks, sandwiches, and pastries at 173 Handcroft Road, West Croydon. Wednesdays from 12 PM – 2:30 PM. Reach out at 077 537 32366 or info@ntcgwc.org.uk.
• St Andrew’s Church Foodbank: Offers food parcels for rough sleepers at St Andrew’s Church. Wednesdays from 10 AM – 12 PM. Contact 078 6178 9383 or cakran@gmail.com.
• West Croydon Methodist Church: Provides a hot takeaway meal and food parcel at 93 London Rd, Croydon. Wednesdays from 11 AM – 12 PM. Contact dropinwcmc@gmail.com or 07515 041 234.
• Al Noor Food Drive: Distributes fresh-cooked food outside Al Noor Mosque. Thursdays from 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM. Contact alnoor.fooddrive@gmail.com or 07432 666008.
• The Link Soup Kitchen: Serves soup, rolls, sandwiches, food, and toiletries at East Croydon United Reformed Church. Thursdays from 6:30 PM – 7:15 PM.
• Love Loud: Provides takeaway hot meals at Queens Gardens. Fridays from 7 PM – 8 PM. Email loveloudcroydon@outlook.com.
• Muslim Association Croydon: Offers hot meals at the forecourt of Croydon Mosque. Fridays from 7 PM – 8 PM. Contact 07951 069211.
• South Norwood Community Kitchen: Provides takeaway cooked meals at Socco Cheta Community Hub on Saturdays.

Supporting rough sleepers is not just about immediate relief but about fostering a community that prioritises care, dignity, and long-term solutions.

The resources available in Croydon – ranging from local outreach programs to comprehensive support services – play an indispensable role in helping individuals find stability and rebuild their lives.

Whether you encounter someone sleeping rough or are a property owner managing concerns related to their presence, understanding how to engage with compassion and connect them to appropriate services can make a significant difference.

By raising awareness and working together, Croydon can continue to build an inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.