ShowerBox (free showers for homeless people)
ShowerBox (London and Birmingham) run mobile showers in the two cities that have the highest percentage of homeless people.
The founder (a volunteer for homeless charities) heard that donating clothes to homeless people is virtually useless without showers, as the person needs to be clean, for the clothes to be clean and fresh too, for comfort and interviews etc.
Local people also benefit from hot drinks, free underwear and free use of hair clippers.
With enough support, this could become England’s version to ShowerUp, a US organisation that is sponsored by local businesses and churches, to provide mobile showers throughout several states, combined with volunteers (some also give haircuts).
We are not here to make ‘dirty people’ clean. We are here to give hopeless people HOPE!
Many councils in England charge to use public toilets (for residents and tourists). So where do homeless people visit the bathroom, if it’s illegal for them to pee or poo in the streets? If a child walks by, this can bring charges of indecent or even being classed as sex offenders. Councils need to sort this out.
The city of Miami has installed public toilets for homeless people, and even Pope Francis set up a free laundry for homeless people in Italy. Why are we so behind?
Lack of hygiene can lead to infections, skin issues and managing diabetes. Bad smells and stained clothes, also pushes homeless people further away from integration into society (getting job interviews to gain income and find accommodation etc).
Free Shower/Laundry Ideas for Homeless People
One Voice Mobile Showers (Australia) offers has vans that park in busy areas, where volunteers offer showers, towels and toiletries.
Orange Sky Australia has bright orange vans fitted with washers and dryers, so homeless people can wash their clothes for free, and enjoy a hot shower.
Pit Stop (San Francisco) offers free public bathrooms for homeless people with soap and hand towels, plus secure areas to dispose of dog poop (and needles, to avoid drug addicts littering public areas). The bathrooms are painted in bright colours by local artists, and interestingly, these are staffed by paid attendants, to boost safety and stop vandalism.
General Advice to Help Homeless People
England presently has around 250,000 homeless people (including rough sleepers, sofa-surfers and people living in bed-and-breakfasts). Also read how to help dogs that live with homeless people.
Homeless people can claim benefits (usually Universal Credit), giving the address of a family member or friend, local hostel or job centre. This helps to pay for food (and pet food), job interview clothes and accommodation deposits.
People without bank accounts can use the government’s Payment Exception Service to collect benefits from a local post office or PayPoint outlet.
If you see someone sleeping rough, send a report to StreetLink, whose outreach teams visit rough sleepers at night, to alert them of support to find benefits and accommodation (if the person is under 18, call 999).
