Free Showers & Laundry Services for Homeless People
It’s really important to offer homeless people somewhere to shower and launder their clothes. Not only is this better for self-esteem and health, but it also means they are more likely to find work.
Inspiration from abroad: OrangeSky Australia
OrangeSky is an inspirational idea from Australia, started by two young friends, who converted their van as a mobile laundry. Named him ‘Sudsey’ then travelled around Australia, so homeless people could take a shower.
The scheme is now nationwide, with many volunteers offering mobile spaces for locals to shower and clean their clothes.
Its social impact laundromat in Melbourne works just like a normal launderette. Profits go to fund free showers and laundries for homeless people.
It also offers community spaces for washing and laundry, after natural disasters like floods or bushfires.
ShowerBox (free showers in English cities)
ShowerBox (London, Birmingham and Barking) offers free mobile showers to prevent infections and skin issues, and enhance self-care for better chance of finding a job and stable home. Users also get hot drinks and use of hair clippers.
Since launch, it has provided over 17,000 free showers and 4,500 haircuts. You can help by donating or giving items on their wish list, which include good quality cotton towels and first aid kits.
The Shower Hope (USA) is a similar service that helps some of the 75,000 homeless people in the county of Los Angeles.
Homeless people also need free toilets
Homeless people also need free public toilets (they can be arrested for indecency if urinating or removing clothes in public places). If there are no hostels, what are they supposed to do?
Rome, Miami and San Francisco all have dedicated free toilets for homeless people, why are we so far behind? It’s also safer for everyone, as addicts have safe disposal bins, for used needles.
How to help homeless people on the street
If you see someone sleeping rough, send a report to StreetLink, whose outreach teams visit rough sleepers at night. To help homeless people find benefits and accommodation (if the person is under 18, call 999).
How homeless people can help themselves
Homeless people can claim benefits, giving the address of a family member/friend, hostel or job centre. This helps to pay for food (and pet food), interview clothes and rent deposits.
People without bank accounts can use the government’s Payment Exception Service to collect benefits from a local post office or PayPoint outlet.
How to help homeless people with dogs
One great way to help is to have local shops use BillyChip, a token that can be given to homeless people, to pay for hot drinks or pets food. This complies with council advice not to give money, and helps also to prevent robbery.
Read more on how to help dogs with homeless people.
