Ending homelessness starts with seeing the person behind the stereotype.
As the national drive to end rough sleeping develops, we’re asking people to see beyond stereotypes, to understand the realities of homelessness and mental health, and to take collective action to create lasting change.
Our hero film aims to challenge common assumptions about who experiences homelessness. We’re encouraging people to look beyond the labels and recognise the human stories, circumstances and systemic issues that can lead to homelessness.
If we want to end homelessness, we first need people to understand the reality of homelessness.
Disclaimer: Human actors portray all principal characters. AI-generated imagery was used with intention for selected background crowd and environmental visuals.
When Louise came to ALABARÉ, she wasn’t homeless because she’d fallen behind on rent or caused problems with her tenancy.
After years in private rented accommodation, she was served a Section 21 notice when her landlord needed the property back following a divorce. Despite being a good tenant, she suddenly faced the prospect of losing her home.
For Louise, the impact went far beyond housing.
Living with epilepsy and fibromyalgia, the uncertainty triggered anxiety, worsening health, and increased seizures.
“It was extremely stressful. My anxiety was all over the place and it was causing my seizures to kick off.”
It would have been easy to see only someone facing homelessness. Only someone struggling with complex health needs. But that’s not who Louise is.
Look again.
She’s an author.
A creative thinker.
A community builder.
Someone who is determined to ensure the voices of people experiencing homelessness are heard.
At ALABARÉ, Louise found more than a safe place to stay. She found support, stability, and access to therapy when she needed it most.
“Without the talk therapy, things would have turned bad.”
One of the biggest turning points in Louise’s journey was being reunited with her dog, Lola, after being separated for six months, which had a profound effect on her mental health, with Leah describing it as a period of deep depression. Having her companion back by her side helped her regain a sense of comfort, routine, and hope.
“Being able to have my dog live with me really helped.” For Louise, home is not simply about having a roof over her head. “Home means being settled, family, comfort and quiet. My family would be me and my dog.”
Today, Louise channels her experiences into helping others. As a self-published author, she has established a writing group for fellow residents, using creativity as a tool to support wellbeing and confidence, giving people affected by homelessness a platform to tell their own stories.
Because, as Louise says, “I don’t think they’re heard.”
Louise’s story sits at the heart of our Now You See Me campaign.
Because if you only saw homelessness, you’d miss the author, the advocate, the friend, the writing group leader, and the woman determined to create a better future for herself.
Now you see Louise. And that’s exactly the point.
Donate today. Help more people be seen.
No one rebuilds their life alone. We all need someone to be there for us.
Thank you for being that someone.
Here are some examples of what your donation to our homeless charity appeal could help provide:
Allows us to host a transformative residential with life-affirming activities for those facing homelessness, working on suicide prevention, restoring confidence, self-worth, and hope through connection and physical activity.
A young person with a comfort pack full of homely touches. Offering young people more than warmth, but a sense of safety, dignity, and belonging.
A critical one-to-one session with a support worker. This quiet moment of connection, trust, and hope can be a lifeline for someone seeking to break the cycle and isolation of homelessness.
An essential welcome pack: Necessities like toothbrushes, toothpaste and toiletries for someone coming off the streets this winter.
Make a Regular Gift this Winter
We are grateful for every donation to our homeless charity appeal. If you are inspired to make a monthly donation, for £21 a month (the price of a takeaway pizza), you can sponsor a room – helping ALABARÉ to break the cycle of homelessness.
By sponsoring a room with a view, you will be joining our growing community and supporting a veteran, a homeless adult, a young person, or a young parent and their baby in our service.
Thank you.
Donate by Post or Phone
Use your credit or debit card via our secure form above. We do not receive or store your payment card details. You may post a cheque to ALABARÉ, Riverside House, 2 Watt Road, Salisbury SP2 7UD
Alternatively, you may call the office during office hours by calling 01722 344484 to make a donation to our homeless charity appeal over the phone
Over the past 30 years, we’ve learned a lot about homelessness and how we can help end it for good.
We know that homelessness doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It’s often the result of deeper issues like trauma, poor mental health, poverty, and a lack of opportunity. That’s why our support goes beyond just providing a bed for the night. We offer long-term, wraparound care that helps people rebuild their lives from the ground up.
Last year, we supported 2,533 people across our communities who had faced unimaginable trauma, whether from life on the streets or by being alone with nowhere to turn, with the safety, care, and support they needed to rebuild their lives.
#BreakTheCycle #NowYouSeeMe