The Passage

A message from Jenny, our Director of Housing and Services: "Imagine that you are sleeping outside during the festive season, with people rushing past wrapped up in their own lives, stopping less to say hello . This can have a really isolating impact and make you feel lonelier than ever." This holiday season, let's take 5 minutes to connect. A simple 'hello' or asking if someone needs help can make all the difference. For someone feeling truly alone, it could even save a life ❤️

We are incredibly fortunate to work alongside many brilliant corporate partners who play a vital role in helping us deliver our essential services 365 days a year! Together, we are providing the tools for individuals to build brighter, more positive futures. Today, we'd like to shine a spotlight on one of our amazing supporters: Lloyd's. Over the first six months of this partnership, Lloyd’s have generously donated and volunteered their time to support our work 🧡 We look forward to many more years of collaboration, and are deeply grateful for their compassion and unwavering commitment towards our mission to prevent and end homelessness. As part of their support, we’re proud to share a powerful poem written by a Lloyd’s staff member, Sarah, highlighting the importance of community and giving back: "I hope I can say we all have a home And if the worst happened, friends, you are not alone But with availability falling and costs on the rise, Not everyone is so lucky to live such lives. The noise on the streets never really stops, Out in all weathers and no clean socks. Your tummy is empty, no food in sight, Vulnerable and helpless, how can this be right? A street for a pillow, it’s hard to sleep, Everything aches and you start to weep. And even if you were once very strong, Mental health issues kick in before long. If you are wondering, how you can support, Please give some time and some of your thought, To how you can contribute, as a team or alone, To help The Passage ensure everyone has somewhere to call home." Thank you, Lloyd’s, for your incredible support. Together, we are making a lasting difference. #PartnershipForChange

We're committed to helping clients create a sustainable future—both through building lasting careers and enhancing life skills. Our monthly digital training sessions develop essential computer skills and build confidence navigating the digital world. Recently, our team hosted a festive themed workshop where clients created personalised online Christmas cards to share at the Client Christmas Party 🧑💻🎄 Group Facilitator, Jess said, "Clients really enjoy these sessions; it’s a safe space for them to have an escape, get creative and socialise with other clients. We have seen them develop their computer skills and become more confident using technology.” Learn more about our in house training opportunities: https://ow.ly/jUOi50UsCX7

This Tuesday, the Swift Strategies team had our Christmas team day.🎄🎅💝 Part of our day included volunteering at The Passage, an inspiring charity supporting homeless people in Westminster. It provides a wide range of services aimed at helping individuals rebuild their lives and move towards independent living. We helped out in the kitchen, supporting breakfast prep and service. (Shoutout to Kimberley McLeod for frying 20 eggs at once! 🍳 👩🍳). We also filled, organised and wrapped Christmas boxes with essential items for people experiencing homelessness. Each box contained practical items such as warm clothing, toiletries, rucksacks and food, as well as some non-essential comforts.🎁 Westminster has the highest rate of homelessness in London. Between July - September 2024, 988 individuals were seen on the streets of Westminster, representing 20% of the entire rough sleeping community in London. (See https://lnkd.in/eNZEUZXz for more details).   Our partnership and volunteering at The Passage is a reflection of Swift's social values. We advocate for compassion, integrity, inclusivity and social responsibility. This includes ensuring that we make a positive impact on the communities we work in: many of our clients are based in and around Westminster, so we want to give back and support the community that has provided us with opportunities, and do what we can to tackle economic inequality.   We'd like to say a huge thank you to The Passage for the incredible work they do all year round, and for having us on Tuesday.   We really look forward to developing our relationship with The Passage and being involved in more volunteering activities in 2025! 💝🎄🎁💚   #ThePassage #Westminster #SocialResponsibility #CommunitySupport #Teamwork #FestiveSpirit #CorporateSocialResponsibility #Volunteering #MerrySwiftmas

✨ Last week, we had the privilege of welcoming over 600 of our lovely supporters to our annual Christmas Carol Service– and what an amazing night it was! The room quickly filled with Christmas magic; a reminder to us all, of the true meaning of the festive season: kindness, compassion, and community. We would like to thank all who contributed to the evening, including our special guest readers: Adam Rutherford, Geraldine James, Malcolm Sinclair, Scotty Mills, Sebastian Faulks, and James Nesbitt who despite loosing his voice attended to support this very important cause. A special thanks to Denis Moloney for his generous sponsorship and ongoing support. Without him, this event would not have been possible. Much like the Dean and Chapter of Westminster, who graciously allowed us to host this event at the magnificent St. Margaret’s Church. Finally, to our volunteers, trustees and clients for giving up their time to support the event, thank you! Your attendance at events like this help us to bring hope to those who have been impacted by homelessness❤️ If you’d like to join us for a similar evening, secure your tickets for our Spring Concert today:https://ow.ly/q9mb50UrFm2

After supporting us since 2020, including headlining our annual comedy night Laughter to the Rafters, we're thrilled to welcome Dara Ó Briain as our newest Ambassador! 🌟 On Giving Tuesday, Dara visited our Resource Centre, where he lent a hand in preparing and serving a hot, nutritious meal to individuals affected by homelessness in London. During this visit he told us: “This is the topic that always be very close to my heart, probably because, as someone who travelled to the big city, I’m very aware of the good luck I’ve had and the other luck that people may not have had in terms of making a life here.” We are deeply grateful for his unwavering commitment to our mission of preventing and ending homelessness! 🙏#PassageAmbassador Find out more: https://ow.ly/6JUS50UqBxu

Over the past year, we've proudly supported London’s first Charter to End Rough Sleeping – a powerful opportunity for all Londoners to unite and make a pledge to tackle homelessness together. Last week, we were invited to see our collaboration with MayorofLondon Sadiq Khan, Greater London Authority , London Councils, Bloomberg Associates, and other key partners showcased at Piccadilly Circus! Discover how you can be part of this vital movement. Together, we can make a lasting difference: https://ow.ly/lzNk50UqxLz

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who supported our Christmas Big Give campaign this year! 🎉 Thanks to your generosity, we’ve raised over £660,000 in just one week in match funding – surpassing our highest campaign target EVER! 💫 Whether you contributed by donating, volunteering your time, or spreading the word, your support has made a lasting impact. We couldn’t have done it without you. Find out more ways to continue your support: https://ow.ly/sJAV50UpXOp

Last week a group of our choristers were at Victoria Station to play carols and help raise money for leading homelessness charity The Passage. For over 40 years, The Passage has played a pivotal role in supporting those who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness in London. Working in the heart of Westminster as a close neighbour to the Abbey, it offers its service users the resources to prevent and end their homelessness for good, including routes to employment, benefits, and stable accommodation. Our thanks to the choristers for helping to raise funds to support their vital work this Christmas.

There is less than 24 hours left for you to double the impact of your donation, when you give to our Christmas Big Give appeal: More Than A House. A Home. For many of us, it might be hard to imagine the trauma that those at risk of homelessness face, but what we do know, is that together we can be a beacon of hope for those recovering from these experiences 🕯️❤️ Donate today, and help us continue to be there for people at risk of rough sleeping this winter. 🔗 https://ow.ly/lBRC50UibgM