There will be plenty of places opening their doors for homeless people this Christmas.
Churches, B&Bs, City Hall, chip shops, libraries and even rail stations will be providing food, shelter, clothing and other services over the next couple of days.
In the first initiative of its kind in London, City Hall will open its doors to the homeless on Christmas Eve offering a range of free services.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan will welcome 100 homeless people who are currently receiving assistance from services funded by City Hall and delivered by charities St Mungo’s and Thames Reach.
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 free hairdressers, opticians, karaoke and art workshops.
The Dogs Trust will also provide health checks for any homeless guests who have four-legged friends.
Mr Khan said: ‘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.’
Inn Churches will pay for about a dozen homeless people to spend Christmas in a bed and breakfast in Bradford.
The charity operates a winter shelter scheme with 19 churches in and around the city, providing homeless people with a bed in a church, a meal and support for a week.
Over the Christmas week, St Matthews Church, at Willesden, London, will pay for those due to stay there to be accommodated in a bed and breakfast for up to three nights.
The Salvation Army will also provide the guests with a Christmas dinner.
In Newcastle upon Tyne, volunteers will make roast turkey with all the trimmings for homeless people on Christmas Eve.
The lunch at the city’s Central Station has been organised by the charity North East Homeless.
They will serve roast turkey and veg, pigs in blankets with gravy followed by Christmas pudding.
The event has been supported with donations from local businesses, as well as well-wishers who pledged £4.99 to buy lunch for a homeless person.
