For some, Christmas is not a season for festivity and joy, but instead hardship and struggles. Ethan Houghton, a homeless man who currently resides in the Camberwell area, is one of these people who have to brave out the harsh winter cold this time of year. This 42-year-old man, wrapped up in layers of blankets and a coat, snuggled into the corners of buildings, said “Sleeping rough is always dangerous, and this time of year it gets the most of ‘em.” Houghton has braved one winter before, saying that it was a miracle that he made it out alive. The Temperatures at the start of this year reached a record breaking low of minus eight degrees, not seen in 13 years. When asked how he feels about this time of year emotionally, he said, “It feels like Christmas time for everyone but me.”
This year alone, it has already been reported that two homeless people have died of the cold in the UK, with the worse still yet to come. In a recent annual count that spanned from April 2022 to March 2023, 10,053 homeless were found in London. As for more recent statistics, 4,068 were counted between July and September this year. The homeless like Houghton, do not go without aid. Throughout London, there are multiple groups and charities who want to aid rough sleepers. At this time of year, the charity groups are at high alert due to the threat that the cold brings. One group that is based in Camberwell but affects London as a whole is Thames Reach.
Their aim is to find accommodation for rough sleepers and have the goal of ending homelessness in London. Thames Reach goes over different ways of helping rough sleepers on their website, with personalised plans for specific rough sleepers, to get them off the streets. With winter coming in, Thames Reach also tries to get as many of the homeless in hostels, or places to stay that would stop them from having to go against the winter cold. Of course, this is not always the case. Often, there are not enough hostels to keep everyone out of the cold. They also aim to help people who fear they may become homeless, tackling the issue through counselling.
The government are taking steps to aid the homeless, with SWEP. This stands for Severe Weather Emergency Protocol and was activated at the end of November. It activates when temperatures go below zero degrees, with more emergency shelters being opened and makes sure that these accommodations cannot kick people out unless they have a support plan. This takes a great deal of pressure off of these charities, as they do not have to worry about people in these accommodations.
As for Houghton, he said that he was looking for hostels and places to stay but was not hopeful due to how unlucky he has been in the past. “I can’t get a job yet because I need an accommodation, but it’s so hard to find one you know. It’s like no one really cares. For now, its libraries when their open, and then anywhere else there is heat.” Houghton said that last year he had to go to the hospital because he had contracted hypothermia from the extreme cold.
There are people out there who are willing to spend their time helping others and that during this time of year. People who work in charities all over the UK are putting their time aside to help others in their time of need, in possibly the hardest time in the year. With how active Thames Reach is, they are always pushing for new plans and ideas to end homelessness. They also like getting people in the community involved with helping. Just recently, they announced the launch of their London Charter to End Rough Sleeping. This is a big step, with bigger to come, for both Thames Reach and the homeless.
