Thames Reach

20/08/2026

What does supporting people sleeping rough look like during a heatwave?

Last week, our Area Manager Charley Matthews spoke to Nikki Bedi on BBC Radio London about our work supporting people on the streets during periods of extreme heat — and why rough sleeping remains a year-round issue.

🎧 Hear Charley talk about the work our teams are doing and why ongoing support is so important.

👉 Click the link to listen to the interview: https://thamesreach.org.uk/2026/08/19/helping-people-off-the-streets-during-heatwaves-bbc-interview/

19/08/2026

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced the next steps in the Government’s national drive to end rough sleeping, including immediate action to offer everyone who needs it a route off the streets by Christmas, backed by £442 million in funding.

We welcome this commitment. Emergency accommodation is a vital first step, but ending rough sleeping for good also requires suitable long-term homes and tailored support.

Read our full response: https://thamesreach.org.uk/2026/08/19/prime-minister-announces-next-steps-to-end-rough-sleeping/

11/08/2026

🏃 Take on the London Marathon for Thames Reach!

In 2027, we’ll have more places than ever for supporters to join Team Thames Reach and raise vital funds to help end rough sleeping.

Places are limited, so express your interest by 15 August.

👉 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe-tUUkiKkIbwiOshGzYz274uQmxYt28257e3bZ3GSPd0a9dQ/viewform

04/08/2026

Looking for your next challenge? 🏃

Whether you’re ready to take on a marathon, half marathon, 10K or 5K, there are plenty of opportunities to challenge yourself while raising vital funds for Thames Reach.

By joining , you’ll help us support people to move away from homelessness and rebuild their lives.

Explore our challenge events and find the right one for you: https://thamesreach.org.uk/support-us/fundraise/challenge-events/

27/07/2026

As London faces increasingly frequent periods of extreme heat, people sleeping rough are among those most at risk.

Our Lead Manager Josie Ashdown and Service Manager Anneke Ziemen spoke to The Guardian about the challenges people face during heatwaves, the support provided by outreach teams, and why rough sleeping must be addressed all year round, not only during severe weather.

Read the full article:
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jul/27/london-rough-sleepers-homeless-heatwaves-extreme-weather

As heatwaves make the capital increasingly dangerous, outreach workers warn that vulnerable people face barriers to finding water and cool spaces

23/07/2026

We welcome Andy Burnham as the UK’s new Prime Minister.

Just minutes into his first speech in office, the Prime Minister made ending rough sleeping in the country his first policy pledge as the new prime minister.

This is an ambitious and hugely positive commitment. Rough sleeping is not inevitable, and with sustained investment, effective prevention and coordinated action across government, local authorities and the homelessness sector, it can be ended.

Thames Reach looks forward to learning more about the Government’s plans and working alongside our partners to help turn this commitment into lasting change for people experiencing homelessness. Read more here:

23/06/2026

Hot weather can pose serious risks for people sleeping rough, who may have limited access to shade, water and cool spaces.

Read our blog to learn how you can help people stay safe on the streets during periods of extreme heat:
https://thamesreach.org.uk/2026/05/27/severe-weather/

18/06/2026

For more than eight years, Nicholas has volunteered with Thames Reach, helping people build confidence and move closer to employment.

In his latest story, he reflects on how his volunteering has evolved over the years, why he continues to support people remotely from Yorkshire, and the joy of seeing someone secure a job after months of hard work.

Read the full story:

Since we last featured Nicholas, his volunteering role has evolved, but his commitment to supporting people into employment remains the same

05/06/2026

"I think volunteering as an act of civic consciousness protects us from becoming indifferent."

That's one of the reasons Huon has volunteered with Thames Reach for more than 13 years.

In this latest volunteer story, Huon reflects on how volunteering helps us stay connected to the realities facing people experiencing homelessness, and why the experience can be just as meaningful for volunteers as it is for the people they support.

Read his story: https://thamesreach.org.uk/2026/06/04/thirteen-years-of-volunteering-with-thames-reach-huons-story/

01/06/2026

Today marks the start of Volunteers’ Week, a chance to celebrate and thank the incredible volunteers who give their time, skills and compassion to support our work across London.

Throughout the week, we'll be sharing stories from some of our amazing volunteers and the difference they make every day. First up is Ash.

After a difficult period of unemployment and a loss of confidence, Ash joined Thames Reach as a volunteer with our Keeping in Touch team. What started as a way to stay active and give back helped him build new skills, regain confidence and take his first steps into the homelessness sector.

Now volunteering alongside working full-time, Ash is preparing to support our Lambeth Street Engagement team as he works towards his goal of becoming an outreach worker.

Read Ash's full story: https://thamesreach.org.uk/2026/02/04/ashs-volunteering-journey-at-thames-reach/