A WARM welcome, friendly places to meet and Christmas meals are being offered to people in Leicester who are vulnerable or homeless over the festive period.
A programme of extra support and activities has been coordinated by Leicester’s Homelessness Charter, which brings together a range of local organisations working to tackle homelessness in the city.
Leicester city council, local charities, faith groups and other organisations will be providing a wide range of services throughout the Christmas holidays to help ensure that people can get the support they need and also enjoy some Christmas cheer.
Gray Duguid, Project Coordinator for Leicester’s Homelessness Charter said: “Across the country, homelessness is rising, and this Christmas an estimated 350,000 people will face the heartbreak of having no place to call home. Here in Leicester, our Homelessness Charter—founded in 2018—stands firm in its mission to support those working tirelessly to change that reality.
“Christmas should be a time of warmth, joy, and togetherness, yet for many experiencing homelessness, it can feel like the loneliest time of all. That’s why it’s truly inspiring to witness the compassion of local councils, organisations, faith groups, and individuals who come together to bring hope. Their kindness ensures that even in the darkest moments, people can find safety, comfort, and a chance to share in the spirit of the season.”
Cllr Elly Cutkelvin, deputy city mayor for housing said: “We’re very lucky to have such fantastic support from local charities and faith groups every day of the year. At Christmas they go even further to make sure that some of the most vulnerable people in the city can have some company and Christmas cheer.
“Leicester’s Homelessness Charter helps all of these organisations to work together, alongside the city council, to provide the support people need, and their efforts are needed more than ever.”
Services and extra support on offer for homeless people, rough sleepers and vulnerably housed people over the Christmas period include:
- Takeaway food and a hot drink are available from Rachel’s table at Calais Hill at 3.30pm on Monday 22 December
- A hot drink and breakfast are on offer from No 5, Hill Street street between 8am and 9.30am on Tuesday 23, Wednesday 24 and Friday 26 December, and from Monday 29 to 31 December
- The Bridge on Melton Street is offering breakfast and a hot drink between 9.30am and 11.30am on Tuesday 23 and Saturday 27 December, and also on Monday 29 and Tuesday 30 December
- Help the Homeless on Eldon Street will be running Christmas events between 12-4pm on Tuesday 23 December and Friday 2 January, and providing food and hot drinks from 12-2pm on Saturday 27 December
- On Wednesday 24 December, the Midland Langar Seva Society will be providing a Christmas meal at St Peter’s Church, from 5-6pm. They’ll also be offering a Christmas meal takeaway on Thursday 25 December, from 11.30-12.30am. The Brotherhood Legion is offering a hot meal at the Robert Hall Memorial Church on Narborough Road on Christmas day between 12pm and 5pm
- On Sunday 28 December, there will be breakfast and hot drinks available from Dear Albert on Humberstone Gate between 8am and 11am; and the Midland Langar Seva Society will be giving out hot drinks at St Peter’s Church from 5.30pm to 6pm.
- The Triangle at Holy Trinity Church on Trinity Lane will be providing hot food to takeaway on Friday 2 January from 6.45pm to 8pm
To help people who are sleeping rough, the city council’s homelessness outreach team and staff from Help the Homeless charity are out in the morning and evenings to offer support including emergency accommodation.
The council’s Dawn Centre hostel in Conduit Street, will be open all day, every day throughout the Christmas and New Year period offering advice, support and assistance to those who are homeless.
Full details of all of the services available over the festive period are available at the Leicester Homeless Charter website.
Anyone who is concerned about someone sleeping rough can report it online at thestreetlink.org.uk and the city council will send its outreach team to offer a bed and other help.
Anyone who has been made homeless or is rough sleeping can call the city council on 0116 454 1008 during working hours from Monday to Friday. This will enable a homeless prevention officer to properly assess their needs.
In an emergency situation – at weekends, bank holidays and out of hours – people can call the Dawn Centre on 0116 221 2770.