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Information for Homeless People
Idea Store Services
Membership
You can join Idea Stores even if you do not have a permanent address or are unable to provide proof of address. You must give us a physical address but this can be a hostel or friend's address. You can contact Idea Stores by email at ideastores@towerhamlets.gov.uk. If you can notify us with an email address we can tell you when your books need to be renewed in order to avoid overdue fines. With your membership card you will be able to borrow up to 2 items, reserve books on the catalogue and use the free surfing space. You can enjoy the full benefits of membership at any time on production of proof of name and a permanent address. Pop along to your local Idea Store or library and speak to a member of staff.
You will also be able to enrol on a course with a temporary address and a benefits letter.
Feel Better with a Book Reading Groups
Come along to our 'Feel Better With a Book' reading group. A friendly and informal session for all those who enjoy reading or listening to a good story.
• The group is open to all, readers and non-readers alike.
• No need to have read a particular book in advance.
• An opportunity to listen to and talk about books in a friendly and relaxing environment.
• Refreshments are provided
Every Tuesday 3 - 5pm at Idea Store Bow
Every Thursday 10.30am - 12.30pm at Idea Store Whitechapel
Council Services
Homelessness and Prevention
Information advice and support on local services for people who are about to become homeless, in temporary accommodation, for people who are homeless and for landlords.
Local Services
Common Ground - East London Mediation Service
Offers mediation to help prevent homelessness.
Community Dental Service
Dental treatment delivered across the borough.
The Connection st St. Martin in the Fields
providing specialist services – including a day and night centre, outreach for rough sleepers, skills training and career advice, activity programmes and specialist support for complex needs.
Crisis Skylight
An inspirational cafe providing on-the-job-training and experience leading to qualifications for homeless people.
Family Links - a charity run project aimed at helping homeless families gain employment or to go on to further jobsearch or training
Foot Health
A wide range of services to improve foot health delivered in various sites across the borough.
Health E1
Homeless Medical Centre
Homeless London
Advice, Day Centre and Hostel Services - Here you will find some information about accessing services and the homelessness strategy in Tower Hamlets.
NHS Services for Homeless People
Self contained supported housing.
Outward Housing
Long-term housing for people who have suffered mental health problems.
Praxis
Information for displaced people on direct access hostels and medical centres.
Project London
An advocacy project supporting vulnerable people to access NHS and other services.
Providence Row
Provides support, advice, breakfast, shower activities and overnight accommodation to help people out of homelessness.
The Simon Community
A working community that supports homeless and rootless people.
Single Homeless Project
A wide range of accommodation-based and floating support services available for people who are homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless.
Tower Hamlets Law Centre
Legal information and advice on homelessness, appointments, drop-in and evening sessions available as well as a Youth Homelessness Project.
Tower Hamlets Mission
Offers a registered residential care home for recovery and rehabilitation
Whitechapel Mission
Open to everybody, a service that helps to build up your confidence and life skills. Offers a Day Centre, Ladies Day, showers, hot and cold food and drink and clothing.
National Services
Amber
Residential centres to support young, unemployed homeless people in gaining motivation, confidence and skills needed to gain work and a home.
The Big Issue
A magazine offering employment to homeless or vulnerably housed people.
Centrepoint
Advice, information and support for young homeless people around housing, health, work and learning, relationships, managing money and helplines.
Charities Directory
Homeless listings from the Charities Directory
Crisis
Offers education, employment, housing, health and Well-being and women's only services to single homeless people.
Depaul UK
Offers support to young homeless people around accommodation and resettlement, training and employment, family mediation, prison and resettlement, volunteering and mentoring, work in the community and overnight accommodation.
Emmaus
Communities that provide work and a home to develop skills and self respect for homeless people.
Homeless Link
Useful helplines and websites for people from particular groups and for people with particular needs including: ex-service personnel, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, older homeless, ex-offenders and dogs.
Homeless UK
Information on over 9,000 services - hostels, day centres and other advice and support services for homeless people and those at risk of homelessness.
The Pavement
A free magazine for homeless people.
The Salvation Army
Provides Lifehouses that offer activities and training to help improve the self-esteem, mental health and employment.
Shelter
Shelter- housing and debt advice. Call the Shelter helpline 0808 800 4444 8am-8pm Monday-Friday, and 8am-5pm Saturday-Sunday, or go online for advice and information.
St. Mungo's
Provides emergency shelters, hostels and outreach teams, support in recovery from homelessness and support for vulnerable people to prevent homelessness.
Thames Reach
Offers support to rough sleepers, hostels, supported housing projects, support to vulnerable people at home to prevent homelessness, training and employment and support to rebuild social networks through activities.
Virtual Backpack
An online storage facility to keep the personal details of homeless people such as medical details, national insurance number, passport details, address history, CV and job history and passwords safe and secure.
