London: The British Asian Christian Association (BACA) is witnessing an unprecedented surge in demand for its free hot meals service for the homeless in Ilford, as homelessness in London reaches record levels. Visitor numbers at BACA’s service have nearly doubled, with over 70 individuals, including families with young children, attending some distributions.

Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, queues of people arrive at the centre, many with no other source of food for those days.

BACA operates its hot meals service at the Clementswood Community Centre, Connaught Road, Ilford, every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 6 pm to 7 pm, and is now expanding its support by accepting donations of clothing and essential items during service hours.

Recent data reveals that 11,993 people were seen sleeping rough in London in 2023/24, a threefold increase since 2008/09. For the first time, individuals from minority ethnic backgrounds make up the majority of rough sleepers (51%), with Black individuals accounting for 25%—a sharp rise from 15% a decade ago. Additionally, the number of women sleeping rough has more than doubled in the last ten years, though men still represent 82% of rough sleepers.

Most of our visitors are rough sleepers, so we provided them with ultra-warm coats featuring high water resistance and waterproofing to withstand harsh conditions.

Juliet Chowdhry, a trustee for BACA, expressed deep concern over the growing crisis:

“During some food distributions, we are seeing over 70 visitors—an unprecedented number—and serving them would be impossible without the support of our donors and volunteers. More parents with children are now seeking help, and though we prioritize families, we’re deeply concerned about the mental health and wellbeing of these children. The constant instability and uncertainty can lead to long-term emotional trauma, anxiety, and developmental delays. The winter months will be especially harsh for them, with cold weather only adding to their suffering. It’s an alarming situation, and we urgently hope the government finds a solution to this growing crisis before more families fall into despair.”

Willow Chowdhry (14) distributes free, brand-new winter coats to homeless visitors, spreading warmth and kindness this season.

A Lifeline Through Winter

BACA’s annual Christmas event, held on 20th December 2024, distributed warm coats to local homeless individuals, offering vital protection against freezing temperatures. The charity remains committed to its hot meals service throughout the winter, ensuring rough sleepers and struggling families have access to essential support at a time when many other services temporarily close.

In addition to hot meals, we regularly distribute essential items such as sugar, tea, coffee, washing powder, toothbrushes, soap, toothpaste, and tokens for the nearby launderette, providing practical assistance to those in need.

For many, our service hours are not only an opportunity to receive nourishment but also a chance to enjoy companionship, as they often live very isolated lives at other times.

Urgent Call for Support

BACA urgently appeals for additional volunteers and donations to meet the growing demand for its vital services. As a community-funded charity, we rely entirely on the generosity of donors and local supporters to continue assisting those in need.

This winter, as temperatures plummet, we aim to distribute more weatherproof coats, gloves, scarves, and warm boots to all our visitors. Additionally, we hope to provide funds for laundry services, washing powder, and essential items for those in temporary accommodation, including sugar, tea, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, and sanitary products.