Can you imagine being too scared to close your eyes at night?
That’s the reality for thousands of rough sleepers across the UK. Waking up cold, isolated, and uncertain of what the day will bring. With homelessness continuing to rise, we wanted to do something about it, right here in Leicestershire.
So, we got in touch with one of the charities making a difference in our community: The Falcon Centre in Loughborough, run by Falcon Support Services.
Homelessness in the UK
According to Shelter, over 320,000 people are homeless in the UK. That’s one in every 201 people (and that number’s rising).
Even more concerning is the “hidden homeless” – people who don’t show up in official figures. Those sofa surfing, sleeping in cars, or staying temporarily with friends and family.
In 2018, 726 people died while homeless. That’s a 22% rise from the year before. The average life expectancy? Just 45 for men and 43 for women, compared to 76 and 81 for the wider population.
It’s a crisis that’s happening all around us…
This is where Falcon Support Services steps in.
About the Falcon Centre and Falcon Support Services
Their mission is simple but powerful:
To help vulnerable people transform their lives. And support them in becoming independent, contributing members of the community.
At their main site in Loughborough, they provide:
- 30 en-suite rooms
- A communal space and catered accommodation
- Life skills training and tenancy support
- Social sessions like cooking workshops, quizzes, art sessions and film nights
But that’s just the beginning.
In 2019, the team:
- Opened shared houses across the region
- Launched The Annex, a specialist service supporting sex workers
- Created a Youth Club for young people facing poverty and mental health challenges
For 2020 and beyond, they plan to:
- Launch more drop-in services
- Expand their support offerings
- Open a women-only housing shelter
It’s a growing, evolving service driven by passionate people doing vital work.
Our Visit
When we asked how we could help, the team at The Falcon Centre welcomed us with open arms.
So we swapped phones and laptops for paintbrushes, and a group of us spent the day freshening up a corridor, ceiling, and re-glossing skirting boards and doorframes.
It might sound like a small thing. But being there and seeing their work first-hand made a huge impact on us. The difference this centre makes to people’s lives is both humbling and inspiring.
The Falcon Centre will also be opening their doors Christmas Day to offer a hot meal and gift so no-one in the area has to be alone this Christmas. If you would like to help them achieve this goal, here is the link for more details on how to donate: https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/help-the-homeless-in-leicestershire-this-christmas/
Want to find out more about their services and the people they help? Have a read of this fantastic article and check out their website:
https://www.globalgiving.org/pfil/43366/projdoc.pdf
https://www.falconsupportservices.org.uk/falcon-centre
A Reminder…
Homelessness doesn’t have one face. It affects people from all walks of life and could happen to anyone.
At Stirling Warrington, we’ll continue to help the homeless and support Falcon Support Services in any way we can. Whether it’s more painting, fundraising, or volunteering.
And we’d love to encourage other businesses to do the same.
Wherever you are in the UK, there will be a local charity doing incredible work. Get in touch. Ask how you can help. Even a small act of kindness goes a long way.
