London City Mission assistance for the low income

One of the oldest charities is the London City Ministry. The faith based group has been helping the vulnerable for hundreds of years by providing everything from a free box of food to housing at Hope Community Homes. Low income families as well as the homeless in London can turn to one of the various day centres run by the Ministry for assistance.

Volunteers from across the city of London and all the boroughs work with the Mission. The registered charity also relies on donations to keep their programmes running, ranging from food to clothing and housing assistance. More support from the community is always needed.

Meals and food from the London City Ministry

There are both low cost, hot meals served from the centres in King’s Cross as well as Waterloo and other locations. They can help feed the homeless on the streets of London. Or if someone is on a low income, they too can drop in for a meal. The breakfasts are served at the soup kitchen at 6-8 Webber Street, SE1 8QA.

During the period in which they are eating a meal, the client can meet with a social worker to learn about other assistance available to them. The London City Ministry can direct immigrants to sites where they can apply for benefits from the government, or people sleeping rough or young people can be placed into shelter. Information on many other services is also provided by the Ministry.

The marginalised can also be provided a free parcel of food. This will cover needs for up to three to five days, depending on what the person’s diet is. Even if the City Ministry does not have items on site, then they will provide a voucher for a local food bank in London.

Christmas meals are also served to the homeless in London. Volunteers from across the city work at the London City Ministry to feed people during this time frame. During the Christmas meal the person can also benefit from the gospel services arranged.

Shelter and housing services

Most of it is part of either an emergency shelter or from the flats that are part of Hope Community Homes. There will be several homes that are part of this service, and people sleeping rough or the homeless can use the housing sites.

Additional support is for families that were evicted. The Ministry will not only try to place them into a shelter in London, but they will signpost them to local borough council schemes for access to more permanent housing or even government schemes. Supported accommodations are also arranged.

Clothing and practical support

The missionary’s at London City Mission try to address these needs too. If someone is homeless, they may be given a blanket. Other items may be winter coats, boots, shoes, sleeping bags and more. The aim is to ensure people stay warm and that personal hygiene needs are met. These items are available at Webber Street day center and the phone is 020 7928 1677.

The Ministry also support ex-offenders in London. The staff will assist them by befriending and then referring them to job programmes, even though employment can be hard to get for a prisoner. So while they are working towards independence practical support can be given.

There are different centres around the boroughs. But the main City Mission centre is at Nasmith House, 175 Tower Bridge Road, London, SE1 2AH, phone 020 7407 7585.