Meet David

Like many single adults facing homelessness, his journey is not always visible. Today, we are following a typical 24 hours in his life to understand the relentless physical and mental toll of not having a safe place to call home.

Something to eat

A crucial lifeline in the community. Food banks provide essential sustenance, but the anxiety of relying on emergency support and not knowing where your next meal will come from weighs heavily every single day.

The passage of time

Surrounded by people, yet completely isolated. The high street is a place of connection and routine for most of us, but it serves as a stark reminder of exclusion for those without a secure foundation.

Get your head down

As the shops close and the temperature drops, the search for a safe, hidden corner begins. A simple piece of cardboard offers the only barrier against the cold pavement for the night ahead.

Try to rest

True rest is impossible. The night is spent in a state of hyper-vigilance, listening to every passing footstep, managing the cold, and waiting anxiously for the safety of daylight.

Same stuff, different day

Packing up at dawn. The physical reality of sleeping rough leaves you stiff, exhausted, and ill equipped to face another day of moving simply to stay invisible and out of the way.

Got to keep moving

Constantly on the move. Without a fixed base, the days are spent walking endless miles across town just to access basic services, find public facilities, or simply pass the time safely.

Getting help

The cumulative impact of this lifestyle on physical and mental health is severe. Seeking medical help is a critical step, but true recovery is almost impossible without a safe, warm place to heal.

Find a solution

A visit to the drop-in service is the start of breaking that cycle. Once registered, we walk with David every step of the way to stable housing.

David’s life is a cycle of stress, exhaustion, danger and desperation.

KCAH was incorporated over 30 years ago with the simple goal of breaking that cycle, work that we continue today.

We need your help to carry on.

Take on for just 24 hours the challenges of rough sleeping. You will walk 12 miles a day, carrying everything you need, spend a night in a shelter and live on just £13.97.

By taking part in this challenge and raising £300, you will be providing a pathway out of homelessness for someone like David.