Branches Hostel

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Branches Hostel Branches is a registered charity that provides temporary accommodation and resettlement support.

16/09/2026

Chat with Sat - Branches ex-resident Sat, who regularly comes into the hostel to have a cuppa and a chat with residents, watch TV in the communal area and play pool talks in this video about the relief of having his own room at Branches.

15/09/2026

And it's here - our brand new pool table!! Expertly delivered and installed by Luke and Reiss from Sam Leisure - we can't wait to see it assembled and start playing on it! More to follow….

14/09/2026

Branches has been around for over 25 years in one form or another. We weren't always on Forest Road, this building was purpose built and opened in 2012 and has 27 ensuite bedrooms arranged over 3 floors.

On the ground floor we have a light and airy communal area with a TV, a pool table and a fold-up table tennis table as well as the residents' kitchenette where they can make their hot drinks and breakfast. Directly outside the kitchenette and communal area is our peacful garden where residents can relax in the sunshine whilst enjoying a cuppa. We also have a small gym for residents and a large commercial kitchen which residents and volunteers both use.

On the first floor there are staff offices, a library with PCs for residents' use and a laundry. On the second floor it's all residents' rooms and then on the third floor we have residents' rooms and two smaller kitchens for use by that floor's residents.

While the building itself provides the practical facilities needed to run a hostel, Branches is about much more than bricks and mortar. The Branches' staff, communal space, kitchens, garden, gym and activities all help to create opportunities for residents to connect with others, develop skills, build confidence and feel part of a community. After more than 25 years, Branches continues to provide a safe and supportive place for people as they work towards the next chapter of their lives.

11/09/2026

Chat with Sat - Branches ex-resident Sat, who regularly comes into the hostel to have a cuppa and a chat with residents, watch TV in the communal area and play pool talks in this video about how he came to Branches.

Bingo is a firm resident favourite at Branches and we always get a decent number of attendees, with our wonderful volunt...
09/09/2026

Bingo is a firm resident favourite at Branches and we always get a decent number of attendees, with our wonderful volunteers taking on the role of bingo callers. And of course, there are prizes, which have been generously donated by members of the public and local businesses - thank you.

We play a line first and then move onto a full house with different prizes for each game. Residents are incredibly focused during these games and the rule is that the first one to shout "BINGO!" and raise their arm is the winner!

We are fortunate to have a group of residents at Branches who are always willing to get involved. A great example of thi...
07/09/2026

We are fortunate to have a group of residents at Branches who are always willing to get involved. A great example of this is our current Bike Shed project, as well as resident Alin's recent efforts.

A few weeks ago, we had a wonderful volunteer cook scheduled to prepare a meal for the residents, but unfortunately, they had to cancel at the last minute. At that moment, Alin stepped up to take charge and saved the day! 🙌✨

Cooking in a hot kitchen, especially with the recent weather, is no easy task, but Alin managed to deliver a delicious dinner that included pasta with pork, onions, and mushrooms 🍝, a tuna bake 🥘, and a fruit crumble 🍏🍰.

Did you know?Jigsaw puzzles 🧩 were invented around 1760 by English cartographer John Spilsbury? He originally glued maps...
04/09/2026

Did you know?

Jigsaw puzzles 🧩 were invented around 1760 by English cartographer John Spilsbury? He originally glued maps 🗺️ to wood and cut along national borders to create a geographic teaching aid. In the 1800s, jigsaw puzzles evolved from educational tools into cardboard leisure games, gaining immense popularity in both Great Britain 🇬🇧 and the United States 🇺🇸.

Fast forward 226 years, and jigsaw puzzles have become a favourite pastime for residents at Branches 🎉. The more challenging, the better! This particular puzzle featuring the London Underground tube map 🚇 is one of the trickiest, but residents have nearly completed it in just a few days! ⏳

02/09/2026

Chat with Sat - At Branches we always have a warm welcome for ex-residents. Some come back to watch the TV in the communal area, sit in the garden or have a few games of pool.

Sat is a very popular ex-resident of Branches who visits most days to play pool, have a cuppa and chat with other residents. In this video he talks about how unsafe he felt when he was rough sleeping and the relief of feeling safe once he had a room at Branches.

🌟👩‍🍳✨ At Branches, we believe that the magic happens when our cooks come into the kitchen! Our incredible pool of volunt...
31/08/2026

🌟👩‍🍳✨ At Branches, we believe that the magic happens when our cooks come into the kitchen! Our incredible pool of volunteer cooks brings a vibrant tapestry of backgrounds, experiences, and age ranges that enrich our culinary adventures.
From seasoned chefs to home cooks, educators, artists, and professionals from every corner of life, each volunteer adds their unique flavour to our kitchen 😊 Their diverse knowledge extends beyond food, creating an environment filled with creativity and collaboration.

Every gathering is a chance to share stories, swap skills, and build community—one dish at a time! 🍽️❤️

Our volunteer hours for July ! ⭐ We couldn't do all the amazing work we do without our wonderful volunteers!❤️ We love s...
28/08/2026

Our volunteer hours for July ! ⭐ We couldn't do all the amazing work we do without our wonderful volunteers!❤️ We love shouting about how important our volunteers are to our charity.
Some volunteers are regulars, week to week or month to month, some volunteers run a short course on their specialism, some hold one off sessions, and some volunteers choose to participate rather than share or teach - there are no limits or boundaries!

In July our volunteers racked up a whopping 81 hours in total! We are forever thankful and grateful for the contribution all of our volunteers make!

If you are interested in volunteering, or want to learn more about how you can get involved, you can fill in the form on our website (link in bio), or else get in touch via:

💌 [email protected]

Thank you to everyone who volunteers, or has volunteered with us, we couldn’t do what we do, without you!

Address

740 Forest Road
London
E173HR

Telephone

+442085206363

Website

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