Anchor House visit in Newham

Caroline started her New Year with a visit to Anchor House in Newham, a residential and life skills centre for single homeless people. Based in the East End of London, Anchor House supports over 200 people each year, giving them so much more than just a roof over their heads. Their aim is to address the root causes of homelessness to ensure people never find themselves homeless again.

Caroline met Chief Executive Keith Fernett and discussed in detail some of the issues Anchor House were facing with changes in Government policy and the increase in homeless people with complex needs.

Caroline also spent time talking to some residents about how they had become homeless, the challenges they face and fears.

Reflecting on her visit, Caroline said:

“It was wonderful to meet such committed staff and also such wonderful residents, who are doing all they can with help to look to the future and try to secure work and the help they need in order that they can live in their own home again. Each person had become homeless for very different reasons, often not of their own making. It is quite clear that the Mayor of London needs a comprehensive package for helping to house the homeless but also to support them in terms of health and other measures if we are to tackle London’s growing homelessness crisis”