The Passage's vision is of a society where street homelessness no longer exists, and everyone has a place to call home. The Passage is based in the heart of Westminster, providing practical support and a wide range of services to help transform the lives of people who are, or are at risk of, street homelessness.

The Passage website says there is a 58% increase in rough sleeping in the last decade

In 21st Century Britain, it is simply unacceptable that anyone is forced to spend a night on our streets. However, unfortunately it is becoming the reality for a rapidly increasing number of people.

Homelessness can be both caused and solved by political action which has been shaped by public policy choices including housing supply and whether you can afford to live in an area of your choice, welfare spending; support during ill health, re-integrating after prison release, relationship breakdown, losing your job and so much more.

There have been many pledges to end homelessness and rough sleeping over the years and as none of the solutions and progress has been made, none have seen sustainable success.

A cross party initiative would strengthen the resolve to end homelessness. Maybe we should lobby for this!

I now volunteer at The Passage and will either be in the kitchen helping with the team or working as one of the health engagement volunteers. I play a minuscule part in the ‘big’ picture, but I believe that every contribution helps.

The Passage does some amazing work with some amazing people who have fallen on hard times. The vision is to see a society where everyone has a place to call home.

I am no spring chicken these days but feel strongly that if we don’t talk about the problem and share the vision to create sustainable solutions we will never end homelessness and that is truly shameful in this day and age.

So I have signed up to do the Lloyds of London (289’) abseil on 18 September at 1pm.

Please consider supporting The Passage and pray I land in one piece! Share this link and if you work for a large organisation see if they will add to the pot. The funds raised are NOT wasted, practical, tangible evidence is visible and the impact on peoples lives is clearly evident.

Every gift, no matter how big or small, enables us to help people who are experiencing homelessness to regain their confidence and hope for the future.