London’s homelessness problem is bad — and it’s getting worse. With winter here again it’s more important than ever that people living on the streets get the support they need to stay healthy and get their lives back on track.
Musician Ellie Goulding is already well on board — and you can be too.
The pop queen, who’s an ambassador for the homelessness charity Streets of London, is headlining a very special one-off concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall to raise funds and awareness for this vital issue.
And Global Citizens have the chance to be a part of it. Yep, Christmas just came early.
“Homelessness in London remains as much of a problem as ever,” said Goulding. “The number of people sleeping rough here has doubled in the last six years and increased by 170% in the last decade.”
“It’s as important as ever than these people are able to access the right support, so they can escape the damaging effects of life on the streets,” she added.
Ellie Goulding performs on stage during the 2017 Global Citizen Festival Hamburg in Hamburg Germany on July 6, 2017. Photo by Grey Hutton for Global Citizen
Goulding is also bringing along some special, surprise guests on December 11 — for what will be her fourth consecutive year headlining a Streets of London concert — so far helping to raise more than £230,000.
And Global Citizen Rewards has premium tickets for the concert just waiting to be given away. All you have to do is take action to help put an end to some of the world’s biggest issues, so basically, it’s win-win. Through taking action, you’ll earn points as a Global Citizen, and then boom — you'll be eligible to win a pair of tickets to the show.
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In case you needed any more encouragement, Streets of London — which works to get homeless people the support they need to leave the streets behind for good — has created this beautiful film, “We Were All 10 Once.”
Featuring Ellie Goulding alongside her fellow ambassadors Dan Smith, from Bastille, and Justin Young, from the Vaccines, as well as Tom Odell, Frank Turner, and a number of people who are currently homeless.
And it shows that whether you’re a famous musician or you’re homeless, “we all have the same dreams and ambitions.”
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“Everyone has a story — a childhood where they dreamed of who they would be when they grew up, and we all have hopes and dreams for the future too,” said charity director Ian Steuart Fothringham.
“When someone becomes homeless, it doesn’t mean they stop being that person,” he added. “Homelessness compromises people’s basic dignity, and it can be incredibly damaging, but with the right support, people can make a fresh start and get their life back on track.”
Streets of London is funding 12 projects across the capital this year, to help people who are currently homeless make a fresh start.
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These projects include a winter night shelter for vulnerable rough sleepers, that offers emergency accommodation and helps people to find longer-term housing; a rehabilitation hostel for those recovering from addictions; a life skills programme for young homeless people; and several employment support projects.
Global Citizen campaigns to achieve the UN’s Global Goals and end extreme poverty by 2030. We’re building a movement of people who are engaged in the world and passionate about change. You can join us by taking action here.