Look Ahead support thousands of people across London and the South East every year
Make Someone’s Christmas Brighter
This Christmas will be tough for many people we support. People who have experienced homelessness or slept rough, cold on the streets.
People who may be living with a long-term mental health condition, a learning disability or complex health needs. Young people who have just come out of the care system or children who are living in temporary or insecure housing or who have fled domestic abuse.
These people, without our help, may struggle to have the things most of us take for granted at Christmas time. A hot Christmas dinner, warm clothes and bedding, presents for children.
With your support, we can change this this year and Make Someone’s Christmas Brighter.
Every pound we receive will go towards providing a brighter, better Christmas for the children, families and adults in our services.
*If you wish to donate you will be directed to Just Giving’s website. We encourage you to read their privacy and cookie policies to find out how they use your data. Please note that they will inform us of your name (unless you donate anonymously) and the amount of your contribution. Also, if you opt-in to receive communications from us we will use your email address to contact you.
Why do we need your help?
Most of our work is funded by local authorities or the NHS. It is widely reported that social care is generally underfunded and so often there is very little money left to invest in really improving customers lives. Whether that is helping them access work or training through employment skills; art therapy to help them get over trauma they may have experienced; or buying a gift at Christmas.
With your help we can make a real difference. Any donations we receive go directly into local projects. Your help will ensure that our customers live the happy, independent and fulfilled lives they deserve.
What we do
We run over 120 services across London and the Home Counties. These include:
Young people's services
We currently offer 26 young people services including housing for looked after children and care leavers, supported housing, parent and child schemes and support for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children.
Our approach supports young people and care leavers, encouraging independence and practical help. We provide a range of training and support specifically looking at gang violence, forming heathy relationships, education & training and rebuilding family relationships where appropriate.
Meet Jack who lives in a young people service in LondonHomelessness
We are one of the largest providers of services for people affected by homelessness across London and the South East. We provide 26 specialist homelessness and complex needs services across 11 local authorities. This includes two domestic violence services.
Our services include support for individuals who may be older, have dual diagnosis or need specialist mental health or care needs. In our services we work with homeless families and those with experience of rough sleeping, substance misuse. Our offer includes support for those with experience of trauma and adverse childhood experiences.
Meet Peter, who lives in our South London hostelMental Health
Look Ahead runs over 40 specialist mental health services for people with a wide range of mental health needs including severe and enduring mental health needs. Our services help people to live in community safely, prevent hospital admission and discharge people out of hospital sooner. Often with our support our customers live active, meaningful lives with hope for the future despite mental health needs.
Learn more about our specialist mental health servicesHow you can help
Donations
Donations make a huge difference to our work, enabling us to provide our service users the resources and support they need to live happy, independent and fulfilled lives.
You can donate a one-off or monthly amount using our safe and secure online platform on Just Giving. If you would prefer your donation to support a specific service or project, please add this to the comments box.
We also run an annual Christmas Secret Santa fundraising appeal to ensure all of the children and adults in our services have something to smile, during what can be a difficult time for them.
We also accept in-kind contributions such as good quality clothing, bedding and toiletries. If you have items to donate please contact GetInTouch@lookahead.org.uk. It is possible to adopt a local service if you regularly have food or other items to donate. Many of our homeless services particularly are part of local food donation schemes.
Corporate Partnerships
Corporate donations, payroll giving, employee fundraising and charity challenge days can support a range of vital programmes for Look Ahead service users focusing on health and wellbeing, employment and training and access to the arts.
There are also opportunities to partner with a specific Look Ahead service where you staff may be able to support refurbishments, skills-based workshops or the provision of welcome packs for new residents providing basic toiletries etc.
Please contact Eva Zeeb to discuss how we can work with you and your team.
There are many ways you can help us support our customers
Developing meaningful partnerships
Look Ahead are always looking for partners who can help our service users to access arts, health and wellbeing and employment and training opportunities. If you have a programme in mind which you would like to offer to our service users we would love to hear from you.
Volunteering
Volunteers help people change their lives every day. Whoever you are, whatever your skills, you can make a difference.
Every year, all kinds of people join us and play a vital role in our work. We welcome the breadth of knowledge and experiences they bring, as well as their passion and dedication.
With care, support and accommodation services in 30 local authorities across London and the South East, there’s likely to be a volunteering opportunity in your borough – or even your neighborhood.
Experience is helpful, but it’s your attitude that’s important. We want you to hit the ground running and be keen to make a real contribution to our work.