Finding out that a friend or family member is homeless can be shocking and upsetting. You may want to help but feel unsure about what to do or whether your help will actually make a difference. This guide from Seaside CIC offers practical, compassionate advice for anyone who wants to support a loved one experiencing homelessness.
Listen Without Judgment
The first and most important thing you can do is listen. Allow your friend or family member to tell their story without interrupting or judging. Homelessness is often accompanied by feelings of shame, failure, and isolation — your unconditional support and acceptance can be enormously powerful.
Offer Practical Help
Practical help can make a real difference. This might include: offering a temporary place to stay if you are able to do so safely; helping them to contact services; accompanying them to appointments; helping with form-filling or online applications; providing food, clothing, or toiletries; and helping them to access their post or manage their affairs.
Know Your Limits
It is important to be honest about what you can and cannot offer. Providing accommodation to someone with complex needs can be challenging and stressful. Set clear boundaries, take care of your own wellbeing, and don’t feel guilty if you cannot provide everything your loved one needs. Connecting them with professional services is often the most helpful thing you can do.
Connect Them With Professional Support
Professional homelessness services — including Seaside CIC in Brighton — have the expertise, resources, and connections to provide the kind of comprehensive support that friends and family cannot. Encouraging your loved one to seek professional help, and perhaps accompanying them to their first appointment, can be life-changing. Contact Seaside CIC today to find out how we can help.
