https://18keys.org

I am running London Marathon for The 18 Keys Project. 18 Keys are raising money in order to create a MUCH needed sanctuary for women experiencing long term homelessness in London.

For women living on the streets in London, their life expectancy is just 43 years old. And despite the fact women actually make up more than half of all homeless in the UK, they are rarely seen on the streets. And that is because they are not safe for them. Many women sleep during the day and spend the nights on busses or other well lit, warm areas with CCTV.

Women tend not to turn to hostels, and if they do, do so as a last resort, due to the fact there aren't gender specific amenities; shared bed and bathrooms create frightening situations for already vulnerable women, many of whom have fled domestic and sexual violence

The 18 Keys Project is working to transform an existing hostel in London into a model of its kind for women who have experienced the trauma of long-term street homelessness.

On the site of the hostel there are already 16 self-contained studio apartments, together with an office and laundry facilities. A further £2.1m is currently being raised to develop a second building on the site. Here they will create a new communal kitchen and living space, a one-to-one therapy room and two additional studio apartments. The intensive model of care will be enhanced by an emergency ‘safe seat’ service. This will be on offer to two guests every night. This means that the facility will be able to provide safety for up to 750 women through the course of each year. The new building will be linked by a therapeutic garden to the main block. These facilities will help make the vital difference between simply housing women and working with them intensively as they rebuild their lives.

Homelessness statistics rise every year and, like many Londoners, I feel a great sense of shame at the lack of proactive support being offered to some of the most vulnerable within our society. None more vulnerable than the women facing homelessness. Which is why I am passionate about the work The 18 Keys Project are doing, and hope to be able to raise some much needed money for their work.