How to Help / Get Help

What to do if you are rough sleeping/homeless

  • If you (or someone you know) are sleeping rough, here’s some vital advice to stay safe and get support:
  • Contact your local council’s homelessness department: As soon as possible, let the local council know you are sleeping rough/homeless. They have a duty to help and may have emergency accommodation available.
  • Reach out to charities and day centres: Organisations like Cornerstone deliver outreach support to wherever you are located. We offer advice, support, food and drink, and we may be able to signpost you to somewhere warm and dry if the weather is bad, until we can help find you somewhere more appropriate to stay.
  • Use StreetLink: You or someone on your behalf can use StreetLink online (https://thestreetlink.org.uk) to alert outreach teams (that’s us) about your location so we can start helping you.
  • Find a safer place: Well-lit areas with other people around can be safer. If on the streets, avoid isolated spots, but also stay discreet enough to avoid unnecessary attention.
  • Stay warm and dry: Use as many layers as possible, especially for your head, hands, and feet. Use cardboard, a sleeping bag, or a blanket—never sleep directly on cold ground.
  • Keep essentials with you: Carry your most valuable items (ID, money, medications) in a secure way and keep spare clothes and food in sealed containers/waterproof bags if possible.
  • Sleep near others if possible (if you feel safe to do so): Sleeping in groups or where others are nearby can help reduce danger. If you use a tent, pitch it under trees for added shelter and safety (unless there are heavy winds).
  • Be aware of the risks of drugs and alcohol: These can make you more vulnerable to theft or harm, and alcohol will cool your body temperature which can pose additional risks during cold weather.
  • Trust your instincts: If something feels wrong, move to a different location.
  • Register with a GP: Even if you’re rough sleeping, you are entitled to medical care—we can help you register with a local doctor and attend with you for extra support.
  • Use day centres and shelters for showers and clean clothes where available. Some local gyms may even allow you to take an occasional shower. Ask us and we can wash clothes for you. 
  • Try to get rest whenever you feel safest, even if it means taking naps during the day—sleep deprivation can affect your judgment and safety.
  • Human connection matters: Even a conversation can make a difference to your mental health.
  • The priority is finding permanent, safe accommodation. Get in touch with us, or whomever your local services are, so we/they can help you take steps toward housing, employment (if you’re ready), and regaining your independence.
  • Don’t be afraid to ask friends or family if you can stay, even temporarily—sometimes a call or message can make a big difference. We can support you with this.

How to help someone who is homeless

  1. Stop and say hello: Connecting with someone experiencing homelessness can have a big impact—sometimes, just starting a friendly conversation can make a real difference to someone’s day. If you feel safe, try making eye contact, and say hello. Gauge their response, and continue chatting if you sense they’d like that. Listen without judgment to their story, as homelessness is complex and personal. Whilst not everyone may want to talk, showing kindness and respect can help lessen feelings of isolation and marginalisation.
  2. Help them get the support they need: Either contact us or by using Streetlink to notify the Local Authority (who will notify us) https://thestreetlink.org.uk.
  3. Offer items that could be of use:
  • One of the easiest ways to help someone experiencing homelessness is to offer food and drink—but it’s best to ask what they’d prefer first, since dietary needs and allergies can vary. Consider providing a shop or supermarket voucher so they can buy what they need, when they need it. Always ask directly about what would be most helpful, as preferences differ from person to person.
  • Other useful items to offer will depend on the season and weather.
    During the winter/colder months, warm coats, jumpers, socks, hats can be beneficial. During summer, consider things that help people stay protected from the sun, such as sun hats, sun cream, after sun and water.
  • Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, shower gel, shampoo), hairbrush, period products, money for phone top-ups and transport are also likely to be well received.
  • Give whatever you feel comfortable with, and avoid letting stereotypes guide your assumptions—every individual’s needs are unique.

How to help Cornerstone

Make a donation

Use the Donate button below to make a one-off donation, or, set up a regular monthly donation. But please, only give what you can afford.

Here is what your money could help us buy for our clients:

  • Phone top-up: £10
  • Mobile phone: £10
  • Food parcel: £10
  • Sleeping bag: £15
  • Tent: £25
  • Winter pack (gloves, scarf, hat): £25
Donate
By volunteering

At our @cornerstone multifunctional event space, we welcome volunteers helping out with the following roles:

  • Helping to prepare food and drinks when the venue opens as a community café.
  • Helping by being a ‘listener’. This is someone who comes along to our Support Hub and listens and chats with people suffering from or at risk of loneliness. You might also refer people on to some of our, or other community services, according to their needs.

At our winter Night Stops, we provide shelter, a bed for the night, food and support for rough sleepers. Volunteering for our Night Stops will make a huge difference in enabling us to stay open during the winter months, and literally save lives. We welcome volunteers helping out in the following roles:

  • Providing general assistance at the Night Stop venue during evenings or mornings.
  • Helping prepare evening meals or breakfast (at our @cornerstone café) for the guests staying at the Night Stop.

Check out our ‘Work With Us’ page for our latest volunteering opportunities.

Corporate Partnerships
Are you a local business or employer looking for ways to meet your corporate social responsibility? Partner with us in some of the following ways:
  • Provide training opportunities or resources
  • Offer second-chance job placements
  • Sponsor a Cornerstone project or initiative
  • Organise staff fundraising or awareness events on our behalf
  • Make regular donations of goods or services
Use our Property Maintenance Service

This professional service delivers workmanship
of the highest quality and all profits after costs go to support our work with homeless people. See our Maintenance Service page for more details

If you would like to discuss how you can help Cornerstone, get in touch by emailing us: business@cornerstonecic.co.uk

Instagram Facebook-f Linkedin