HARP: Community Effort - Leigh-on-Sea

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Leigh On Sea News: HARP: Community Effort – BY Clare Wilson, HARP’s Head of Communications.

HARP: Community Effort – BY Clare Wilson, HARP’s Head of Communications.

HARP – More than just a homeless charity, a community effort (4)

HARP - More than just a homeless charity, a community effort.

BY Clare Wilson, HARP’s Head of Communications.

More than just a homeless charity – a community effort.

A quick straw poll in our Leigh Broadway shop showed that while many people have heard of HARP, Southend’s homeless charity, few understand the full extent of our work. That’s why I’m writing this article – thanks to Leigh News for sharing it!

The scale of the problem

HARP supports nearly 1,000 people annually. Southend has one of the highest numbers of people sleeping rough in the East of England, with many more in temporary housing or sofa surfing. Nationally, homelessness is rising. While Leigh-on-Sea might feel like a bubble, Southend faces stark inequality. Rent on a one-bedroom flat exceeds £1,000 a month, making financial instability a real threat for many, particularly those in low-income roles or on benefits.

It can happen to anyone

A sudden job loss, relationship breakdown, or health crisis can push anyone into homelessness. I’ve met people from all walks of life—financial advisors, painters and decorators, car mechanics, all of them have had to deal with the unexpected realities of homelessness.

Take Kieran, for example, a former Southend Community Safety Officer. After reporting poor housing conditions, including a rat infestation, he was evicted. Living in a tent on East Beach with his dog, Lady, he hit rock bottom. With HARP’s support, he’s now in stable housing in Westcliff and rebuilding his future.

So how do we help?

HARP’s support starts on the streets. Our Street Outreach Team works alongside the City Council, out 365 days a year, in all weather, helping people who are sleeping rough access support.

From here, people can access HARP’s Bradbury Day Centre in York Road, a safe space away from the cold, offering hot food, clothing, and access to essential services, including healthcare. It’s entirely funded by community donations.

Helping people into accommodation

HARP’s support workers help people find accommodation – whether in a HARP property, through the council, or in the private rented sector. With over 310 bed spaces across Southend, we provide safe and sometimes specialist places to stay, including women-only services.

Helping people find accommodation is easier said than done. Prices in the rented sector are disproportionate to the amount people can afford to pay. In fact, on a quick search of Right Move for properties within the LHA (Local Housing Allowance) rate of £678 a month, it returned only 12 results, all of which were in shared houses or as a lodger. This type of accommodation is not suitable for everyone.

More than a roof

The reality is that after time on the streets, people often need more than just housing to rebuild their lives. People come to us from a range of backgrounds – also including the care system, hospital, domestic abuse, or prison. For those, HARP offers personal support, helping them learn life skills, find work, or tackle addiction and health challenges. Some need short-term help, while others require long-term support to rebuild their lives.

Alongside this, every week we arrange over 25 activities to aid recovery. This includes art therapy, fitness such as football or boxing, gardening, and much more. We’ve also just started a comprehensive education, training and employment programme to support people ready to get back into these activities.

Prevention is always better than cure

So with this in mind, last October, we launched a Prevention Hub to help people at risk of eviction. By providing benefits advice, landlord negotiations, and support, we try to prevent homelessness before it happens.

How you can help

Report anyone you see sleeping rough – At streetlink.org.uk and we’ll go and find them.
Volunteer – In our shops, catering or support our activities programme – Just a few hours can make a huge impact.
Donate clothing – Our charity shops welcome unwanted items.
Join HARP24 – Love trail running? Take part in our 24-hour endurance fundraiser, now in its 12^th year at Cherry Orchard Park.
Landlords – Have affordable properties? We also need more move-on accommodation.
Financial support – 40% of our work relies on donations. Just £5 a month could provide breakfast for someone sleeping rough.
Businesses – Based in Southend? Want to get involved in your community? Get in touch!

A community effort

For over 20 years, HARP has been rooted in community support. We rely on local generosity to ensure no one in Southend faces homelessness alone. Whether you give time, money, or simply spread the word, you make a difference.

Please visit www.harpsouthend.org.uk to get involved. Together, we can help end homelessness in Southend.

Picture: Clare Wilson, HARP’s Head of Communications.

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