Author: Rebecca Pearce
Our 2026 Frontline worker survey is now live
For many women, homelessness and child removal are deeply connected. Drawing on insights from frontline professionals, this blog examines the trauma of separation, the risk of repeat removals, and the urgent need for earlier, housing-led intervention.
Statistics show rough sleeping at highest number ever recorded
Today, the government published their latest rough sleeping snapshot for England. The figures show another increase to the number of people sleeping on the streets, making it the highest number on record. Our CEO, Duncan Shrubsole, said the following: “The Government just published their most recent rough sleeping statistics. 4,793 people were rough sleeping on…
Our Impact 2024/25
In 2024/25 we awarded over £2 million in emergency grants, strengthened support for frontline workers and invested in solutions to homelessness. Read our full Annual Report.
Frontline Worker Survey Findings 2025
For many young people living in the UK without legal immigration status, homelessness is not just a risk, but a reality. These young people, often undocumented or forced to navigate long and costly immigration processes, face significant barriers to education, employment, housing, and public support.
In memory of Viki Fox
We are greatly saddened by the death of Viki Fox, our Trustee. As our Trustee at St Martin-in-the-Fields Charity for nearly 5 years, Viki contributed greatly to developing our work, strategy and approach to tackling homelessness. Her involvement with the Charity was deeper – she worked closely with the Scottish Frontline Network and All in…
The impact of frontline funding in Northern Ireland: Extern
St Martin-in-the-Fields Charity provided funding to Extern over a three-year period, ending in 2025, to support their work offering counselling to people who are unable to access many mainstream services. This could be due to having more “complex” experiences of mental ill-health, or due to past engagement within the criminal justice system. We asked the…
Young people’s mental health and housing: MAC-UK
Since 2023, St Martin-in-the-Fields Charity has supported MAC-UK through funding via our Mental Health Fund. For Mental Health Awareness Week 2025, we spoke to MAC-UK about the vital support they provide to young people experiencing mental-ill health. The theme for the week this year is community. The Background For years, insights from frontline workers and…
akt’s Trans Pathway Project
In July 2024, akt contracted two trans adults with personal experience of homelessness as peer researchers. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the delivery of their Trans Pathway project during its initial three-year period of funding by St Martin-in-the-Fields Charity. The Background St Martin’s started funding akt’s Trans Pathway project in 2021, through our Frontline…
“Disability benefit cuts will push families into homelessness”
The welfare cuts announced this week and confirmed in today’s Spring Statement risk pushing thousands of people into poverty, and toward homelessness. Duncan Shrubsole, our Chief Executive, told Inside Housing that tightening eligibility for personal independence payment (PIP) could cause “massive issues” for housing and housing benefit “which haven’t necessarily been clocked”. Read excerpts from the…
Frontline Network Partner in Leeds contribute to National Women’s Rough Sleeping Census
Basis Yorkshire facilitate the Leeds Women’s Homelessness and Housing Frontline Network, a thematic network that furthers insights and understanding of women’s experiences of homelessness. Through this work, they have contributed to the 2024 Leeds Women’s Rough Sleeping Census. This vital piece of work sheds a light on the reality of women’s experiences of homelessness and…