Christmas Appeal: Help those facing homelessness this winter

Our Advisers are working hard right now to help people in South Gloucestershire facing homelessness this winter.

Your donation will help us be there when it matters most.

It’s now December and many of us will be looking forward to Christmas and spending precious time with our loved ones.

But some in South Gloucestershire are facing the prospect of spending Christmas without a home.

Help us help those in need

Here at Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire, we provide vital advice to anyone who needs it across a wide range of issues. But one area we are seeing more and more of is homelessness.

Last year we helped more than 200 local families facing or experiencing homelessness and the numbers are rising.

Homelessness affects every aspect of your life – including physical and mental health, as research by Homeless Link has shown.

No one should be homeless at any time of year – particularly at Christmas – a time associated with happiness and celebration.

How we help

Our Advisers are often the first point of contact for people facing homelessness. They can talk them through the process with compassion and kindness – ensuring people know their rights, identifying their options and taking action.

Our advice can be a lifeline to vulnerable people in this situation. Our Debt Advisers can arrange for someone with unmanageable debt to be placed on Breathing Space – putting a temporary stop to evictions for rent arrears, as well as a host of other debt management measures.

And our When Advice Really Matters (WARM) project provides ongoing, holistic support to those with mental health needs which are being made more difficult by practical issues such as homelessness. Our project Adviser can work with the local authority to make sure people are getting all the support they are entitled to – and has a track record of ending episodes of street homelessness.

‘I felt completely alone and unsupported – India changed everything’

Chris* had been repeatedly made homeless since 2023 and was struggling to get safe accommodation while living in his car with his dog.

After being referred to our WARM project, our Adviser India fought to help Chris secure temporary accommodation – and a pathway towards permanent housing.

Chris said: “When I first started with WARM, I was homeless and completely stuck. I felt completely alone and unsupported.

“India changed everything. She spoke to me with knowledge, patience, and understanding.

“Sleeping in my car was the worst experience of my life. I was coping with the loss of contact with my daughter, a toxic breakup, and multiple disabilities. I had my dog with me, and every night I felt more hopeless.

“I genuinely don’t believe I would still be here without India’s help. She was the only person who saw through the situation, understood me, and fought for me.

“When you donate, your support goes directly to helping someone like me: a neighbour, a member of the community, someone who just needs a bit of help to stand up again.”

*name has been changed to protect identity

You can help.

Give the gift of good advice this Christmas to people facing homelessness.

• £10 will pay for a Volunteer Adviser to provide generalist advice and information on homelessness options
• £20 will pay for a Caseworker to liaise with the local authority and ensure people facing homelessness get all the help they’re entitled to
• £50 will pay for an appointment with a qualified debt adviser to implement Breathing Space and put a temporary stop to evictions for rent arrears

You can donate quickly and securely as a one-off payment or regular standing order via Paypal here:

You can also give by cheque (payable to “Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire”) at: Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire, Unit 1 Badminton Court, Yate, BS37 5HZ.

Or email bureau@sgloscab.cabnet.org.uk to find our bank transfer details.

You can also make contactless or cash donations in the Reception area of our new Advice Centre in Unit 1 Badminton Court, Station Road, Yate BS37 5HZ.

We are an independent, local charity and depend on donations and grants to fund our work in South Gloucestershire.

Any donation no matter how big or small makes a difference.

Thank you.

• If you are facing homelessness or any other issue, contact Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire. Come to our face-to-face drop-in sessions around the region in the first instance. The times and locations of these can be found here.