World Homeless Day: Support that is changing lives
On 10th October, to mark World Homeless Day, we hosted a special reception – a moment to reflect, to connect and most importantly, to celebrate the lives that have been changed thanks to your support.
The evening brought together supporters, partners, policymakers and people with lived experience of homelessness to shine a light on both the challenges and the solutions.
"Together, we can end homelessness – one person at a time."
Amanda Dubarry, Chief Executive, said “In the London Borough of Newham, where Your Place is based, 1 in every 18 people is homeless. Behind each number is a person. Someone with a name, a story, a future. What they need is what we all need: safety, support and a second chance. That’s what you help us provide.”
Amanda spoke of the range of life-changing support Your Place provides – from the core hostel and specialist support services to The Harbour Project, launched this year as the first of its kind in London, offering long-term accommodation to those with the most extensive experience of rough sleeping.
“In the last year alone, we’ve supported 226 people. And we’re especially proud that 77 people moved into their own homes, and every single one has sustained their new accommodation. That’s 77 fresh starts, made possible by your support.”
"Now, I feel hope. Now, I’m strong."
A highlight of the reception was the powerful testimony shared by Naz, a current resident at Your Place. He shared his personal story of hardship and healing – from experiencing homelessness, battling health challenges, and feeling misjudged and overlooked due to his autism.
“I’ve slept rough, been attacked many times, and often felt invisible,” Naz shared. “But when I came to Your Place, everything changed. Michelle welcomed me and said, ‘This is your home. You are not alone and we’re here to help you.’ That’s when I knew I had found the family I had always hoped for.”
Naz, a budding travel photographer, spoke about rediscovering his strength and his voice thanks to the support of the Your Place team. “My dream is to wear a Your Place t-shirt around the world and tell everyone who will listen how much they’ve impacted my life. Now, I feel hope. Now, I’m strong. And I have Your Place to thank for it.”
His story was a powerful reminder of why the work of Your Place matters, and how far kindness and the right support can go in rebuilding lives.
"The mental toolkits you gave me kept my head above water."
Anthony, a former resident, shared a moving poem about his experience of homelessness and recovery – describing his life as a storm at sea – and how Your Place helped him find a lifeline, a community and a future. He told a story of sinking into darkness, and being rescued by the lifeboat of Your Place.
“Your Place gave me fellowship, a steady hand, and with it, a path to rebuild my land. I weathered turbulent seas, fought through tsunamis, even the Kraken tried to swallow me whole. But the mental toolkits you gave me, steady and true, kept my head above water, and now, I sail with a peaceful view.”
Naz and Anthony’s stories are testament to the individual journeys of courage and resilience behind every statistic. And they are just two of 226 people that your support has impacted over the last year.
Adding a poignant reflection on the significance of safety and belonging, Matthew Torbitt – a political commentator with lived experience of homelessness – shared, “The click, the turn of the key, the push of the handle… a sound so ordinary that so many of us take for granted. But to those of us that live without it, that sound becomes sacred. It’s the sound of safety, of arrival, of belonging. It’s the grounding place from which everything else: work, relationships, education, recovery becomes possible.”
Ending homelessness is not only possible, it’s happening every day.
“Ending homelessness, one person at a time, might sound ambitious – and it is. But we know it’s possible. We’ve seen lives transformed through the power of stable accommodation, personalised support and human connection,” Amanda said. “If you’ve supported Your Place in any way – this is your impact. You are part of every fresh start.”
Thank you for walking alongside us. Your support is helping to build a future where everyone has a safe place to call home.
Whether through donations, partnerships, volunteering or simply sharing our message – every action helps to end homelessness, one person at a time.
GET INVOLVED
If you believe that everyone deserves hope, a home and a healing place to grow, here are some ways you can get involved.
Read our Impact Report to see the difference your involvement makes
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Thank you for standing with us.
