The Pavement is the free magazine for homeless people produced in 2 versions - for London and Glasgow/Edinburgh. We deliver 8,000 copies to homelessness service providers who in turn give them directly to their service users. Receiving organisations include over 70 hostels, day centres, homeless surgeries, soup-runs and libraries The magazine provides benefit to homeless individuals and those who are vulnerably housed by: signposting sources of support, advice and shelter, through The List, a regularly updated and detailed directory of homeless services; offering tailored advice from professionals within the homelessness sector; acting as a forum for homeless views and comment to help overcome isolation and encourage involvement.
We believe that with a little support, care and encouragement, homeless people can make the first steps on any roadmap to a normal life once again. Caught up in the endless cycle of financial distress are the ordinary people who yearn for dignity, justice, prosperity and a peaceful existence.
The need for the Pavement is underlined by reports from leading charitable organisations which have identified a significant increase in the numbers of homeless people presenting with complex and multiple support needs, including addiction issues, mental and physical health problems. Nearly half of whom have been in prison with a significant proportion coming out of the armed forces or care. They all need information tailored to their needs and circumstances and our readers tell us that finding that support is becoming ever more difficult.
We continue to receive several requests each week for copies of the Pavement from a huge variety of organisations seeing increasing numbers of people, including migrants, unsure where to turn, as well as soup kitchens and other small drop-ins offering essential services. We were also contacted by a growing number of grassroots organisations, keen to include the magazine in emergency packs being distributed on the streets.
We know that there is a huge and growing demand for the information that we produce both in our magazine and online. Our website gets anything up to 1700 hits per day, most of which are directed to our list of services. We also have an active presence on Facebook and Twitter and use this to communicate issues relating to our articles and campaigns.
