The relationship between secure work and homelessness has never been more apparent.

At House of St Barnabas our Employment Academy programmes are oversubscribed, and our graduates need us more than ever.

During the pandemic, we experienced the retreat of essential services, with GP appointments scarce, housing and benefits departments scaled back, and foodbanks overwhelmed. Our graduates experienced sudden job losses, furlough on insecure income and anxiety about losing their homes.

We have seen the digital divide get much wider and deeper overnight. Digital has become the only way of accessing services at times and friends, family and even pub quizzes quickly moved online. The closure of libraries with their free tech, connectivity and advice are cutting people off from the world. This includes our Employment Academy graduates; who have told us they felt disconnected, not only from the practical support they need, but also from the critical emotional connection that many of us rely on with family and friends online.

The second lockdown showed us once again that our work only continues because of you. With the House being forced to close its doors for much of this year, our income declining by 40% and having to make 1/3 of our staff redundant, we are struggling to deliver our services.

This year has shown us that community is more important than ever, and we are committed to creating and building a House of St Barnabas community that is even stronger than before.

We have seen the closure of several other members clubs in Soho in recent weeks and we are determined this won't be us. We hold a deep belief that our business and mission remain relevant on the other side of COVID-19. We are not ready to give up.

Please donate today to help us ensure we can continue to deliver our vital charity work. We need everybody's help.