Abbey funds new programme to reduce family homelessness in Westminster

This transformative donation will provide essential front-line work to respond to the increased risk to young people, children and families facing homelessness in Westminster.

Located near the Abbey, The Cardinal Hume Centre was founded in 1986 and provides a range of services aimed at preventing and ending homelessness, including pathways to employment and education, stable accommodation for young people and various family support programmes. Guided by Benedictine values, the Centre champions the dignity of every individual.

In the last year, the Centre supported over 1400 people including 710 families and 326 people under the age of 25.  It provided a safe home for 56 homeless young people.

The Outreach Programme is the Centre’s most recent initiative, designed in response to the rising risks faced by vulnerable groups in Westminster. It focuses on early intervention to prevent homelessness and aims to develop a model that can be replicated nationally, extending its impact beyond the local area. This programme not only addresses urgent needs related to poverty and homelessness but also offers a systemic, long-term solution to reduce inequality and prevent future homelessness. 

With official figures revealing that over 3,800 children from the Westminster borough have experienced homelessness and currently live-in temporary accommodation, the timing of this funding from Westminster Abbey is critical. 

This partnership will enable the Cardinal Hume Centre to continue its vital preventative work and promote best practices nationally by collaborating closely with local authorities, charities, landlords, and tenants to foster communication and advocate for change.

Commenting on this new funding, Westminster Abbey’s Canon Theologian and Almoner, the Reverend Dr Jamie Hawkey, said:

‘Westminster Abbey’s donation to the Cardinal Hume Centre marks another important stage in our commitment to support some of the most vulnerable in Westminster’s community. We are both proud and humbled to be part of the Centre’s work in reducing homelessness especially among families and young people. Alongside our ongoing support for the work of The Passage in their No Night Out scheme, this particular grant will allow for deeper engagement on both early intervention strategies and long-term solutions.’

George O’Neill, Chief Executive of The Cardinal Hume Centre, said:

‘Homelessness and child poverty are inextricably linked. The biggest indicator of a risk of homelessness as an adult are experiences of poverty and trauma as a child. Homelessness at a young age is too often repeated later in life.

‘That’s why the Cardinal Hume Centre’s growing focus on children, young people and families is not just about urgent support — it’s a long-term, systemic approach to tackle and prevent homelessness. By intervening early, we can help children and young people not only survive, but thrive.

‘This funding from the Abbey will drive a step change in our support — and, in time, influence wider policy and practice. We are deeply grateful for its life-changing contribution.’

Westminster Abbey is committed to an active programme of social engagement, working with marginalised communities locally, nationally and internationally.  

Among other initiatives, the Abbey supported visits for 457 young people and 564 adults in the past financial year from groups such as Scouts and Guides, children’s centres, youth groups, refugee organisations, and The King’s Trust. Each month, a new charity is selected to receive collections from services, chosen to align with the Abbey’s grant-making policy and social engagement priorities.

Find out more about the Abbey’s social engagement policy and last year’s £500,000 donation to The Passage.