Imagine your favourite team losing 12-0. Not good, right? Yet, every night, homelessness fills our city’s football stadium 12 times over. That’s the stark reality behind our latest campaign, ‘12-0: Change the score on homelessness’.
Right now, a powerful window display is making waves in Norwich’s Royal Arcade, featuring an ‘ordinary’ family to drive home a critical message: homelessness can happen to anyone. The display is hosted by quantity surveyors Hainstone, which is backing our campaign. We’re shining a light on the unacceptable scale of homelessness in our communities and inspiring action to make a difference.
The reality of homelessness
The statistics are shocking:
- 354,000 people in England are experiencing homelessness—including 161,500 children.
- That’s a 14% increase in just one year, and means one in 160 is homeless.
- On any given night, 3,900 people sleep rough, with thousands more stuck in hostels or temporary accommodation.
In the east of England alone:
- 8,930 households live in temporary accommodation.
- This includes more than 23,000 people, including 11,490 children.
- 180 households are stuck in B&Bs for over six weeks—exceeding legal limits.
Homelessness isn’t just about numbers. It’s about people. Families trapped in overcrowded, unsafe conditions. Children growing up without a stable place to study or play. The emotional and financial toll is staggering.
Hainstone’s challenge: 84 miles, 48 hours, one goal
A team from Hainstone is taking on an extraordinary challenge: walking 84 miles in 48 hours along the stunning but demanding Norfolk Coastal Path. Their goal? To raise awareness of homelessness, encourage others to get involved, and fundraise for Hope at Home, a Hopestead initiative providing essential items for people moving from homelessness into permanent housing.
Myles Hughes, director at Hainstone, explains: “We’re hoping that every mile we cover raises awareness of those without a place to call home. Partnering with Hopestead allows us to amplify this message. We may not be able to solve homelessness overnight, but together, we can change the score.”
How you can get involved
- Be a part of change: Visit the window display, share posts on social media using #ChangeTheScore and #12Nil, and help spread the word.
- Run for Hopestead: You can take on a personal challenge of your own to raise money for Hope at Home and help end homelessness, go to Run for Hopestead to find out how.
- Support the walk: Donate to Hainstone’s walk via this JustGiving page and follow their progress on social media. See how their challenge brings us closer to change.
Together, we can change the score
Homelessness is not inevitable—it’s a crisis we can solve together. By raising awareness, supporting vital services, and challenging perceptions of homelessness, we can turn awareness into action.
Because everyone deserves a place to call home.