The Bromley Homeless Summer Newsletter
“This summer, we have seen over 100 new clients since June – which is a definite increase on last summer. We’re seeing more and more landlords selling their properties and evicting the tenants within them due to rising costs. We’re also seeing increases in the number of requests for food bank vouchers and fuel vouchers and we thank the Bromley Borough Food Bank for helping us to provide these.
I would like to say a huge thank you to our community – to our loyal supporters, partners, and to all of our staff and volunteers. I am constantly surprised by your energy, passion and excellent sense of humour.”
Kim, Services Manager at Bromley Homeless
We’ve appointed a new CEO!
We are delighted to announce our new CEO, Lydia Lewinson, who has begun working for Bromley Homeless this week. Lydia has extensive experience of working in homelessness and we are very excited to have her come on board!
“From a local authority background, I am excited to lead this homelessness charity, helping to prevent and resolve homelessness. I celebrate the innovation and success of Bromley Homeless and look forward to collaboratively building on this strong foundation.”
Lydia Lewinson, CEO of Bromley Homeless
“We advertised for an individual whose values aligned with those of Bromley Homeless and who had a passion for addressing homelessness and who possessed the interpersonal skills that enabled them to relate to a wide range of people across the organisation and beyond and we very much consider that Lydia fulfils these qualities.
The CEO role is expected to lead strategically and take the organisation on the journey of transformational change, bringing drive and enthusiasm to not only meet the challenges but also realise the opportunities for Bromley Homeless.
All of this will work towards ensuring future sustainability and appropriate growth of service to support the people we seek to help.”
Julia, Chair of Trustees
John’s story
John first came into Bromley Homeless in July. He had found himself homeless after the breakdown of his marriage – he was suffering with his mental health and had been sleeping on the streets. Our partner Penge Church Housing Association had a vacant property and were able to place him into permanent accommodation within four weeks. John moved back into a stable environment, was able to reapply for jobs and is now in employment once again.
We are gearing up to open our winter night shelter
We are now in the process of getting our winter night shelter ready for its second season, enabling us to give temporary emergency accommodation to some of the most vulnerable rough sleepers in Bromley this winter.
Last year, we had over 100 volunteers, aged between 15 and 80, who kept our shelter up and running seven days a week. We are currently in the process of recruiting for this season and are still looking to fill the following roles:
Breakfast cooks
Dinner cooks
Overnight volunteers
No experience necessary and all training provided.
The Bromley Homeless Starter Pack Scheme
This summer, we’ve set up a new storage space and have begun collecting household goods to give to clients who are moving on to new accommodation. The starter packs are filled with the necessary items needed to set up a house – items like bedding, towels and cooking utensils. These items are simple, but can be unaffordable to clients.
The Starter Pack scheme was originally set up by Ed and Ann Tree at St Peter & St Paul’s Church and we thank them for a decade of running the project.
We rely on volunteers to help organise the donations and distribute the starter packs to those in need. To find out more information about volunteering for the project, please email simon.jeal@bromleyhomeless.org
Upcoming fundraising events
One night. Countless lives changed.
On 15 Nov 2025 at Bromley Parish Church, we’re asking: Could you give up your bed for just one night to help those with no choice?
Join our Sleep Out – our biggest fundraising event of the year, with all money raised helping us to support our clients through the winter.
Unable to Sleep Out? Pay £15 and join us for dinner. Bringing community together to raise money for an excellent cause.
Join us on the 27th September at the Chislehurst Beer & Music Festival
We’ve been given a stall to fundraise and raise awareness of homelessness – courtesy of our friends at the The Cockpit Pub in Chislehurst. We look forward to seeing some of you there!
We thank you, as ever, for your continued support.
Let’s work together to get people off of the streets, and back on their feet again.