The Homelessness Reduction Bill

On Wednesday this week, we took part in a mass lobby of parliament to encourage MPs to support the Homelessness Reduction Bill which is due to be debated on 28 October.

Family Services Summer 2016

Our Family Service was opened in 1987 by Cardinal Hume. He was deeply concerned for the many families in the area who were living in poverty and he sought to provide a place of sanctuary for both parents and their children. Thirty years later poorly housed families continue to depend on the Centre for advice and support. For low income […]

Oliver’s Story

“Four and a half months ago I was homeless. I had no family to turn to, and I had been sleeping in a friend’s van most nights, to avoid being out on the streets. On the few nights when I could stay with friends I had to stay up until everyone else had gone to bed before I could get […]

Leila’s Story

Leila is 24 years old. She came to the UK in 2013. Her life as a Palestinian refugee in Syria had become increasingly difficult since the outbreak of fighting in the Civil War. “There was bombing and fighting. It was very dangerous. There was no work, no shops.  No money, no food or even water.  People were eating rubbish, squeezing […]

Jamila’s Story

Jamila, 20, fled from Eritrea when she was just 14 years old. She was fleeing from religious persecution, and after being arrested managed to escape and leave the country with help from an agent. She left behind her father whom she has not seen or heard from since. She made her way to Greece and for two years lived in […]

Efe and Osa’s Story

Just after Christmas we received a heart-warming letter from a young girl called Osa*, who was writing to thank the Centre for the presents she and her family had received at Christmas. Her sweet and eloquent words were particularly moving given the recent struggles she and her family had been through. Osa is just ten years old. In her short […]

Safia’s Story

What strikes you most when speaking with Safia is the sense of duty she felt towards her family, and the heavy burden that placed upon her shoulders. She was supporting six grown-up children, four of whom were living with her, working day and night shifts for the NHS, and was struggling to keep her head above water following the loss […]

Post-Brexit, Sea Sickness and the Golden Thread

William Beveridge, who was fundamental to the founding of the welfare state in 1942, described charity as ‘like a golden thread through the living tapestry of our national story’. The tapestry is somewhat tattered today in the aftermath of the vote to leave the European Union

‘Who is Your Shakespeare?’

For many people who come to the Cardinal Hume Centre to learn English improving their ability to understand and speak the language is a vital step to securing better jobs and integrating into their communities. However, the learning team at the Centre believes that gaining new skills should be about more than just practical necessity. And so, throughout the year, […]

Mayor of London backs CEO Sleepout

The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan today (21 June 2016) voiced his support for a charity sleep–out at Lord’s that will raise money for three homelessness charities. CEO Sleepout London 2016, which will take place on 31 October at the world-famous cricket ground, will raise funds for Depaul UK, the Cardinal Hume Centre and YMCA North London. The event is […]

Cardinal Hume Centre marks the start of its thirtieth year

Thirty years may seem a mere blip in the great scheme of things but thinking about the number of people who have come through our doors at the Cardinal Hume Centre over those years, it’s time beyond measure.  Because the Centre has changed so much, adapting to emerging need, we can’t give you the cumulative statistics. What we can do, […]

From volunteer to priest

During National Volunteers’ Week, one of the Centre’s volunteers, Ross, will become a priest of the Diocese of Portsmouth. Here Ross shares why he decided to volunteer with the Centre as part of his training to become a priest and what it was like to work with young people wanting to turn their lives around. As part of our formation […]

Your Catholic Legacy Thanksgiving Mass

Archbishop Peter Smith and Your Catholic Legacy invite you to a thanksgiving Mass and lunchtime reception celebrating the work of Catholic charities and see the difference they make. We will be joined by inspirational guest speakers Barry and Margaret Mizen on 11th June from 12.30  – 3.30pm at St George’s Cathedral, Southwark, Lambeth Road, London, SE1 7HY.  Please click here to […]

Ruth Barnett – Kindertransport

On November 9th, 1938, ‘Kristallnacht’ or ‘Night of the Broken Glass’ brought the Nazis’ actions to the attention of the rest of the world. It was after this blatant display of violence and hatred that the English government organised for children from Germany and Austria to be sent over (without their parents) to England. Ten thousand Jewish children were sent on […]

Veronica’s Story

“When I was 16 I knew that I had to take my life into my own hands, and I moved to London on my own. My parents had too many problems to help me so I needed to become independent. I had been living with my mother and stepfather in Rome for nearly 10 years. During that time I was […]