Homeless charities combine to get people off streets

Two homeless charities have joined forces to expand their reach in the city.

Homelessness charity Emmaus Greenwich has joined forces with front line project Street Souls to help more people, as the number of rough sleepers in London has surged by a third during lockdown.

Emmaus Greenwich has formally merged with the Coombe Trust, the parent charity of Street Souls.

David Coombe, son of the trust’s founder and chief executive of Street Souls, launched the organisation in 2004 to offer practical support and friendship to those living on the streets in central London.

Twice a month, volunteers dish out hot food, clothing, toiletries, sleeping bags and provide moral support to up to 200 people in need.

David said: “When I first started up, I cooked all the food in my own kitchen, but the need for our support grew quickly and soon we were seeing a couple of hundred people every time we went out.

“We needed more space, so I got in touch with Emmaus Greenwich and they offered us use of their community kitchen – that’s where it all began.

“Teaming up with our friends at Emmaus Greenwich will have a hugely positive effect on Street Souls and will enable us to greatly increase our distributions around London.”

Emmaus Greenwich provides a home and meaningful work for up to 35 people who have experienced homelessness and social exclusion.

It has three shops in Plumstead, Lewisham and Poplar. To find out more about the charity, click here.

Pictured top: David Coombe, founder and chief executive of Street Souls