Mayor opens City Hall to homeless Londoners on Christmas Eve

• Event is the first of its kind at City Hall
• 100 homeless people invited to enjoy Christmas Eve lunch and a range of free services, including hairdressing and an optician

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is continuing his commitment to help London’s rough sleepers by inviting homeless Londoners to City Hall for a festive celebration on Christmas Eve.

Sadiq will welcome 100 homeless people who are currently receiving assistance from services funded by City Hall and delivered by charities St Mungo’s & Thames Reach. These include the No Second Night Out service for people who have only recently stopped sleeping rough, through to former rough sleepers who are being supported in taking their first steps into their own tenancies supported by the Mayor’s tenancy sustainment teams.

This is the first time City Hall has hosted such an event. Guests will be greeted by the London International Gospel Choir before having a three-course meal. They will then have access to a range of services, activities and entertainment including a free hairdressers, opticians, karaoke and art workshops. The Dogs Trust will also provide health checks for guests’ four-legged friends.

Dozens of volunteers from City Hall and Bloomberg Philanthropies will work alongside St Mungos and Thames Reach staff to create a day of festive celebration at what can be a difficult time of year for the most vulnerable Londoners. Ikea, B&Q, Transport for London, the London Games Festival and Deliveroo have also provided donations to support the event.

Last year, 8,855 people were seen sleeping rough on the streets of London by outreach workers – more than double the number in 2010/11. Since becoming Mayor, Sadiq has made tackling rough sleeping in London one of his top priorities. Earlier this year he announced that he was doubling his rough sleeping budget to £19.2m, including £2.2m to fund 300 extra bed spaces across London in the coldest months of the year through his Winter Programme.

Last week the Mayor launched his annual rough sleeping campaign at Westfield London, with generous Londoners donating more than £28,000 in the first week via TAP London contactless donation points and the campaign’s GoFundMe page (details below).

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I am delighted to be able to welcome everyone to City Hall for this special day. Helping London’s homeless people is one of my top priorities all year round but it takes on a special significance around Christmas, when the difference between those who have so much and so little can seem particularly stark.

“Everybody here today has a story to tell and an opinion on how we can do more to help homeless people and I hope to hear as many as possible. The fact that events like this are taking place in 2019 reminds us all that homelessness is a national disgrace and helping the most vulnerable people in our society now needs to be at the top of the new Government’s agenda.”

Petra Salva, Director of Rough Sleeper Services at St Mungo’s, said: “It’s wonderful that the Mayor has opened the doors of City Hall for this festive event. Christmas can be a time of mixed emotions for clients in our services and our staff work hard to support those who stay with us over the holiday period.

“Some of our guests here today were sleeping on the streets last week and thanks to staff in services like No Second Night Out, they are now getting back on their feet.

“For those who remain out on the streets, the temperature drop over winter means that the harm and danger they face is increased. Our teams will be out day and night but we also need the public to support us by getting in touch with StreetLink to help connect someone with their local service as soon as possible.”

Artist David Tovey, who slept rough in London in 2013, will be creating a unique artwork to mark the event. He said: “From my personal experience, I find art to be a real catalyst for recovery. Events such as this, which combine wellbeing, food but also provide a safe space for creativity are hugely important.”

“Access to the arts is a human right, it creates positive identity and helps improve public perception of people who are or have been homeless. It brings people together and it’s fun! And surely everyone deserves a little bit of Christmas cheer.”

Steve’s Story

Steve, a St Mungo’s client, came back to the UK after working abroad for 15 years and found himself homeless. He spent around five weeks rough sleeping in London in freezing weather.

Steve was frightened for his future until he was helped off the streets and assisted through his recovery. He was supported by staff at No Second Night Out and never looked back.

Steve has now found part time employment, has his own flat and a place to call home. He says “it is much more than I could have possibly expected and I am so astonished but so very thankful for the support I received.”