This December, for the 9th year running, Justlife took part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge, a national match-funding campaign that doubles donations made during a single week. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, partners and funders, we raised over £57,000 to support people living in temporary accommodation.
With skyrocketing pressures on temporary accommodation, the most common form of homelessness, this support is needed now more than ever.
Temporary accommodation is meant to be a short-term safety net. In reality, it has become a long-term trap for over 132,000 households. People are now spending months or even years in B&Bs, hostels and short-term lets that are often unsafe, overcrowded and isolating.
Adults are trying to manage their health, work and family life from a single room. This form of homelessness is largely hidden from view, but its impact is profound.
At Justlife, we work every day with people navigating this system. Our mission is clear. Temporary accommodation should be short, safe and healthy. Until that is the reality for everyone, people need consistent, practical support to cope with the harm caused by poor-quality accommodation.
The Big Give Christmas Challenge allows charities like Justlife to raise funds in a way that maximises impact. During the campaign week, every donation is matched, meaning supporters’ generosity goes twice as far.
Crucially, the funding raised through the Big Give is flexible. In a system where statutory funding is stretched and often restricted, this kind of income allows us to respond to what people actually need, when they need it.
This year’s campaign was matchfunded by The Scouloudi Foundation and House of Cinn who we can’t thank them enough for their generosity. But this result was a huge group effort, from individuals to businesses to partners, everyone came together and had a massive hand in reaching this target.
It was a collective effort, rooted in a shared belief that homelessness should never mean being left without support. We are grateful for every action, big or small, whether through direct gifts, spreading the word or volunteering to stack chairs. This is your achievement.
The £57,000 raised through the Big Give will help us continue and strengthen our frontline work.
It will support:
One-to-one practical support for people living in temporary accommodation, including help with housing, benefits, health and wellbeing
Social connection work that reduces isolation and builds stability during a highly disruptive period in people’s lives
The staff and infrastructure needed to maintain consistent, trusted relationships with the people we support
Our wider national work to improve standards in temporary accommodation and push for systemic change
During a time when everyone is feeling stretched, it is incredibly heartwarming to see so many be so generous in their support to those living in Temporary Accommodation.
During the campaign, we shared messages from people living in temporary accommodation about what our support means to them. They spoke about feeling safer, less alone and better able to cope with the uncertainty they face.
These are often small interventions, but they have a lasting impact. A conversation that prevents a crisis. Support that helps someone attend a medical appointment. Help to navigate a complex housing process that feels overwhelming when you are already under pressure. You can read more about how we make a difference to people’s lives here.
While we are incredibly proud of what was achieved through the Big Give, the wider challenge remains. The number of people living in temporary accommodation continues to rise, and without meaningful improvements in quality, many will continue to experience harm.
Alongside our frontline work, Justlife will continue to advocate for better standards, informed by evidence, research and the lived experience of the people we support. Fundraising like this allows us to do both.
To everyone who donated, pledged, partnered with us or supported the Big Give campaign in any way, big or small, thank you. Your support this Christmas will make a real difference to some of the most vulnerable people living in temporary accommodation.
Because of you, more people will have access to the support they need to stay safe, maintain their health and work towards a permanent home.
