A COLD AND LONELY CHRISTMAS

Thousands will be homeless during the festive season

Cosy and snug in our homes, we close the curtains on a dark night and ignore the howls of the wind. Christmas is a time for us to be tucked up at home with our families to enjoy swapping presents and passing around a box of chocolates. 

But not everyone has a home to celebrate in. In fact, there are an estimated 274,000 homeless people in the UK – including 126,000 children. Christmas is miserable for many as they endure life on the streets or moving between temporary homes.

The rise in the cost of living is forecast to drive more people into homelessness, and charities such as Shelter are seeing increased numbers of calls for help.

Woman’s Own speaks to one woman who knows the reality of being homeless at Christmas with her family.

‘Christmas Day was the worst time’

Sarah Martin, 43, is a finance and income housing officer. She lives in Brent, north London, with her children, Ishmael, 17, CJ-Isiah, two, and Jahkiel, six months.