40 years in Westminster
40 years of support in Westminster
For 40 years, the Cardinal Hume Centre has supported young people, children and families experiencing homelessness in Westminster. Since 1986, thousands of people have walked through our doors seeking safety, advice and practical support during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
As we mark our 40th anniversary, we are honouring our past while investing in the future through our 500 Futures campaign.
500 Futures campaign
To mark our 40th anniversary, we are launching the 500 Futures campaign in October 2026 – an ambitious effort to raise £1.2 million so we can support 500 more people each year, in addition to the 1500 children, young people and adults we already work with annually.
Led by a committed Development Board chaired by John Gibbs KCSG, the campaign will strengthen our early intervention and integrated support, helping us reach more people before homelessness takes hold.
Your support will help more people build stable, secure futures.
Why this matters now
England is facing record levels of homelessness, housing insecurity and poverty. In Westminster alone, more than 3,900 children are currently growing up in temporary accommodation – the equivalent of around 130 classrooms full of children without a stable place to call home.
Homelessness rarely results from a single cause. The families who come to the Cardinal Hume Centre often face several pressures at once, including:
- Rising rents and insecure private tenancies
- Living in temporary accommodation
- Delays or gaps in welfare income
- Domestic violence
- Family breakdown
- Insecure immigration status
- Barriers to employment or childcare
Why this matters now
England is facing record levels of homelessness, housing insecurity and poverty. In Westminster alone, more than 3,900 children are currently growing up in temporary accommodation – the equivalent of around 130 classrooms full of children without a stable place to call home.
Homelessness rarely results from a single cause. The families who come to the Cardinal Hume Centre often face several pressures at once, including:
- Rising rents and insecure private tenancies
- Living in temporary accommodation
- Delays or gaps in welfare income
- Family breakdown
- Insecure immigration status
- Barriers to employment or childcare
When these challenges collide, families can quickly reach crisis point. Preventing homelessness means addressing both the immediate housing need and the underlying pressures that put people at risk in the first place.
Our whole-family approach
The Cardinal Hume Centre is one of the few organisations to bring housing advice, welfare support, immigration advice, family services, youth support and learning opportunities together under one roof.
This integrated approach helps people move from crisis to stability, while building the confidence, skills and security they need to create lasting change.
Because childhood poverty and housing insecurity are among the strongest predictors of homelessness later in life, supporting children and young people today helps prevent homelessness tomorrow.
What your support will help us achieve
Your support for the 500 Futures Campaign will help us:
- Provide earlier support for children growing up in poverty
- Strengthen housing advice and financial stability services
- Help young people build the skills, confidence and opportunities they need to live independently
- Reach more families living in temporary accommodation before problems escalate
- Expand our integrated support so more people can build stable, secure futures
Because ending homelessness tomorrow starts by supporting children today.
Help shape the next 40 years
Whether you have supported the Cardinal Hume Centre for decades or have only recently discovered our work, there are many ways you can be part of our future.
You can:
- Share your memories and stories of how you came to know the Centre
- Donate to the 500 Futures Campaign
- Fundraise in your community or workplace
- Volunteer your time and skills
- Tell others about our work
To find out more or get involved, email fundraising@cardinalhumecentre.org.uk.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 500 Futures Campaign?
The 500 Futures Campaign is the Cardinal Hume Centre's 40th anniversary fundraising campaign. It aims to raise £1.2 million so we can support 500 more people each year through homelessness prevention and integrated support for children, young people and families.
Why 500 Futures?
The campaign reflects our ambition to reach 500 additional people each year while continuing to support the 1,500 people who already rely on the Centre annually.
How will donations be used?
Donations will strengthen early intervention, housing advice, family support, youth services and outreach so more children, young people and families can build stable, secure futures.