Did you know..?

The Porch is a life-changing charity dedicated to supporting vulnerable adults facing homelessness and poverty. We provide a safe space where people receive vital help such as nutritious meals, showers, laundry facilities and tailored support services. Its holistic approach addresses both immediate needs and long-term goals, offering help on housing, finance, physical and mental health, addiction recovery and skills for employment. 

The Porch nurtures a strong sense of community and belonging, helping people rebuild confidence, gain independence and restore hope. The Porch is a place where everyone is seen, valued, and given the chance to thrive.

Why our work is important…

Basic Needs: We provide food, shelter, & hygiene facilities - meals, showers, & laundry services meet immediate needs.

Mental Health and Wellbeing: Many homeless people struggle with mental  health issues, substance abuse & feelings of isolation. The Porch provides a safe, non-judgmental place where people receive emotional support, take part in activities promoting mental well-being & access professional counselling.

Pathways to Stability and Independence: Our Moving Forwards Programme develops life skills with help on financial management, tenancy & returning to work... increasing chances of lasting accoommodation & employment.

Community and Social Inclusion: Loneliness & isolation are barriers to recovery & reintegration, so we nurture a sense of community & provide a space for people to connect, feel valued, & engage with others.

Addressing Root Causes: The Porch works to address the underlying causes of homelessness & social exclusion. By offering advice on housing, benefits and health, we help people work through this complexity, towards lasting solutions.

Reducing Pressure on Public Services: With targeted support & intervention, The Porch helps reduce the burden on emergency services, healthcare providers & shelters. Early intervention prevents crises needing costly public interventions.

Our Members' journeys with us are very varied...

here are a few personal stories to demostrate our work (names changed): 

“Emma came to The Porch having fled domestic abuse & finding herself homeless. She suffered from anxiety & poor physical health & although Emma was determined to find work, she found that she we would regularly drop out of jobs. Emma joined our Moving Forwards Programme, helping run The Porch Community Café, having be reassured by us that it was OK to drop out from time to time as she needed. We saw Emma’s confidence & self-esteem increase dramatically & within 3 months, Emma had moved on to full-time employment in a local café.”

 “Andrey arrived at The Porch as a vulnerable person living alone in inadequate temporary accommodation. He had separated from his family abroad & was suffering with trauma & anxiety, problems compounded by ongoing heart & respiratory health issues. Andrey came to The Porch each day for meals & to shower, soon joining in with others to play chess. Andrey’s housing situation was not suitable for someone with underlying health conditions & his poor English meant The Porch took on an advocacy role for him, helping with his letters & appointments & representing his case to the Council & others. Eventually, Andrey was provided a ground-floor room in supported accommodation with carers, much better suited to his poor health.”

 “Neil had nowhere safe to live & had been squatting in an empty house for several months before he came to us for meals & to use our showers & laundry room. Before long, he had volunteered to help with the day-to-day running of the day centre. Neil has autism & suffered with anxiety but he became confident enough to enrol in our art club which saw his self-esteem & social skills blossom. Within a few months, we were able to help Neil secure part-time work with a national charity which provided income and secure accommodation at a “move-on home” – work that he has enjoyed and managed to hold down.”