What is it like being homeless?

Like most people, you probably have an address. Utility bills, birthday presents, deliveries and friends arrive at that address. An address means you belong. Not having one sets you apart from others in society. Try closing your eyes for a moment and picture yourself unwell and with no one to help you. Now imagine this situation again, but this time you've got no house, no bed of your own, perhaps not even a toilet nearby. You don't have a kettle, a sofa, your own TV, a phone or just about any item you have ever cared about.

If I was to ask you to describe a homeless person, you would probably give me a description of a rough sleeper, unrolling a mat, sleeping under cardboard on a street and possibly begging, but there is no typical homeless person just like there is no typical homeowner. Those who are sofa surfing i.e. sleeping on couches in different people's houses, or families living in temporary bed and breakfast accommodation are also homeless. Through tragedy, abuse, mental health issues, possibly wrong decisions, family breakdowns, or just plain misfortune, they've ended up with no home to call their own.

You may be lucky enough to have a loving, inspiring, nurturing family, and loyal friends but what if you don't? We've all had challenges to face at one time or another but not everyone has a support network to help them through the difficult times.

Covid-19 has meant that many of us have experienced a degree of being lonely and isolated but we mostly have the benefit of knowing that this is just a temporary situation. For homeless people who are cut off from society, though, isolation is a perpetual, major feature of their lives which sadly can often lead to poor mental health. The number of those people who are homeless and who have mental ill health is very high.

Homeless people are also, in general, bad sleepers. Its virtually impossible for those without a home to get anything approaching the seven to nine hours unbroken sleep every day that is recommended. Lack of sleep can severely damage both your physical and mental health and a lot faster than you think.

We all need to eat both nutritious cooked food and lots of healthy fruit and vegetables. With no home, kitchen or cooker, though, there are few alternatives to cheap junk food for those with no home.

About Transform Housing & Support

We are the largest housing association in Surrey and we are also a registered charity dedicated to enabling people to live independent and fulfilling lives by providing housing and support. Not only do we offer people a safe place to live and an address to call their own, we also allocate them a Transform key worker to provide the support they need to prosper in their new home. Their key worker provides stability and is dedicated in enabling each person to gain confidence, life skills, access to education, training and employment opportunities as well as empowering them to live a happier and healthier life.

How you can help us transform the life of a homeless person

Create a simple sign and take a photo of yourself sitting or standing in front of the door to your house holding your sign. Post it on your social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Linkedin, etc) with the following message >

Only the width of a door stands between me and my bed, bath, cooker and TV - or being #homeless. I've taken a photo in front of my door and donated to the @transformhs #door2home campaign because #homelessness is closer than you think. www.justgiving.com/campaign/door2home

And at the same time donate either £5, £10, £15, or £20+ to this online appeal

£15 buys an item of warm clothing when a homeless person arrives with nothing

£30 pays for a warm welcome pack of sleepwear and personal care items

£50 funds identity documents so that they can apply for benefits, education and work

£100 pays for education and training costs that include course fees, equipment and travel

Their journey to independent living and a fulfilling life starts here.

Thank you so much for your support.