Obi Thompson Sargoni
24 Hour Walk for Homelessness
Fundraising for Praxis Community Projects
Story
Two years ago, the first 24 Hour Walk for Homelessness raised £1,800 for the charities Shelter and Crisis. It was a genuinely wonderful experience. We explored the city and watched sleepy dawnlit streets morph into a bustling metropolis.
And of course, we spoke about and witnessed the devastating human cost of the housing crisis.
Unsurprisingly, the last two years of turbulent politics have failed to deliver lasting solutions to the homelessness crisis. Meanwhile, the ‘hostile environment’ towards migrants has turned doctors and charities into border guards. The Windrush scandal brought to light the cruelty and injustice of these policies.
Migrants face particular homelessness risks due to a lack of support networks and potentially complex immigration issues. As a result, 39% of rough sleepers in London are European Economic Area (EEA) nationals despite only making up 14% of the workforce. Migrants from outside of Europe face additional difficulties and those with unresolved immigration status can be unjustifiably categorised as 'illegal' migrants making it harder to access housing and welfare.
Thankfully, there are amazing charities out there working to support people most affected by these issues. Praxis, based in Bethnal Green, is a charity whose compassionate and successful services have really inspired us.
Praxis help any migrants at risk, regardless of immigration status, by providing housing, advice, and support. Here are some highlights of their work:
---- Praxis convinced the Greater London Authority to provide bed spaces for rough sleepers with ‘no recourse to public funds’ - people without sufficient documentation to be entitled to government support.
--- Praxis’ frontline work supporting over 120 members of the Windrush generation, many of whom were homeless, or at risk of homelessness and destitution, helped identify and publicise the Home Office’s appalling attempted deportations known as the Windrush scandal.
--- In 2016, Praxis helped to rule unlawful the Home Office’s policy of revoking the right of residence to homeless EU migrants.
--- In 2017, the Praxis advice team worked on 1,718 cases and secured status, access to welfare and documentation for 124 people.
To help bring some positive energy back into our lives and the lives of migrants at risk on the 25th of May we will be walking for 24 hours throughout London to raise money for this wonderful charity - and we want you to join us!
The 24 Hour Walk is about experiencing London - its many communities, rhythms, and sights - in a way that challenges the inequality and destitution, seen and unseen, near our homes, places of work and everywhere between.
Yes, the last few hours of the walk will be difficult, but we can promise that the company, sights, and sounds of London will make it an absolutely amazing and rewarding experience.
Check out our route here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=16hyXHxuoC1riyPlpP4JS3Kn1H_YUagoJ