Homelessness remains a pressing issue across the United Kingdom, yet recent developments suggest that innovative approaches and renewed commitments are making a tangible difference for those most at risk. This week, three charities—Emmaus Sussex in Portslade, Greater Change in Oxfordshire, and The Brick in Wigan—have taken bold steps to address homelessness, each using a distinct strategy but sharing a common goal: to provide stability, dignity, and hope for people facing housing insecurity.
Emmaus Sussex, a homelessness charity based in Portslade, has long championed sustainable living as a cornerstone of its mission. On August 28, 2025, the organization announced it had received a National Lottery grant to install a Ridan composter system in its community garden. This new system will convert kitchen and garden waste into nutrient-rich compost, directly supporting Emmaus Sussex’s environmental goals and its community growing projects. According to the charity, this initiative will not only reduce waste but also enhance biodiversity and provide natural fertilizer for gardens where fruit and vegetables are grown for both companions and café visitors.
Emmaus Sussex supports up to 58 people who have experienced homelessness or social exclusion, offering them a home, meaningful work, and tailored support. Its chief executive, Karen Chapman, expressed gratitude for the funding, stating, “Companions play a vital role in every aspect of our community, from working in our social enterprises, where we reuse and resell donated goods, to tending the garden, allotment, and polytunnel. Thanks to this National Lottery funding, we can take our sustainability efforts even further. We would also like to thank National Lottery players. Their support has made it possible to grow a greener, more self-sustaining community, where every action benefits both people and the planet.”
The sustainable ethos at Emmaus Sussex is not just about protecting the environment—it’s about rebuilding lives with dignity and purpose. The charity’s community living model and social enterprises offer companions the chance to regain independence in a supportive environment. Emmaus Sussex is part of the wider Emmaus movement, which operates across the UK and internationally, helping people to rebuild their lives through community, work, and sustainable living.
Meanwhile, in Oxfordshire, Greater Change has been making headlines for its direct financial support model, which gives money to people at risk of homelessness with minimal restrictions. On August 27, 2025, the charity reported that it had paid out £699,000 to 403 people so far this year. Laura Burns, a 32-year-old mother from Didcot, is among those who have benefited. Facing eviction due to her landlord selling up, Laura found herself unable to cover moving costs and energy debts. She turned to Greater Change and received £600—money that arrived almost instantly and, in her words, lifted a huge weight off her mind. “There are no words to describe leaving that stress behind,” she said in an interview with BBC News.
Greater Change’s approach is rooted in the belief that people should have the dignity of choice. Its chief executive, Jonathan Tan, explained, “We're giving people dignity of choice. Very often, in a homelessness pathway, it feels like it's things being done to you and so we're giving people the ability to make choices about their lives.” The charity’s model is intentionally flexible, funding anything that aligns with an individual’s ambitions and helps them take the next step out of homelessness. Most recipients use the money for rent deposits, bills, or to tackle debts, with support workers helping to distribute the funds.
The effectiveness of Greater Change’s approach is supported by data: 86% of people it has supported have moved into stable housing, and almost half have found a job. The charity also points to international evidence, such as the New Leaf project in Vancouver, Canada, which gave direct cash payments to homeless individuals and found no increase in spending on drugs, alcohol, or tobacco. Closer to home, the Personal Grants project—led by St Martin-in-the-Fields and the Centre for Homelessness Impact—reported that participants spent money on essentials like furniture, books, and clothes, with no adverse incidents or misuse of funds.
However, Greater Change acknowledges the limits of its model. As Jonathan Tan noted, the support is most effective as an early intervention—helping people who are sofa surfing or at risk of homelessness, rather than those experiencing entrenched rough sleeping who may need more intensive support. The charity’s work also highlights a broader truth: while direct financial support can transform lives, the underlying cause of homelessness—a chronic lack of affordable housing—remains unresolved. The UK government has pledged to build 1.5 million homes by August 2029, a commitment seen as essential to addressing the crisis at its root.
In Wigan, The Brick is taking a different but complementary approach by focusing on supported housing as a foundation for lasting change. On August 28, 2025, the charity marked Starts at Home Day by reaffirming its belief that supported housing is more than just a roof over someone’s head. It is, as Chief Executive Keely Dalfen put it, “the first brick in rebuilding a life.” The Brick delivers supported housing across Wigan and surrounding areas, working closely with Wigan Council to provide emergency accommodation and personalized support for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
These homes offer stability, dignity, and a chance for people to confront challenges such as mental health issues, trauma, addiction, and unemployment. “Every day at The Brick, we see the difference that kindness, stability, and a listening ear can make. With the right support, people can heal, grow, and start again, and that’s something our town has always believed in,” Dalfen said. The charity is calling on both local and national leaders to commit to sustained funding and policy support for supported housing, warning that long-term investment in people-centered housing solutions is more urgent than ever amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and housing pressures.
The Brick’s message is clear: breaking the cycle of homelessness requires more than temporary fixes. “If we want to break the cycle of homelessness, we can’t stop at temporary fixes,” Dalfen emphasized. “We need to give people the time, tools, and support to rebuild, and for us, that starts right here, at home in Wigan.”
Taken together, the efforts of Emmaus Sussex, Greater Change, and The Brick reflect a growing recognition that homelessness demands both immediate action and long-term solutions. Whether through environmental sustainability, direct financial support, or comprehensive supported housing, these organizations are demonstrating that with the right support, people can move from crisis to stability—and from stability to hope.
As the UK continues to grapple with the complex challenge of homelessness, the stories emerging from Portslade, Oxfordshire, and Wigan serve as a reminder that innovation, compassion, and investment in people’s futures can make all the difference.