People sleeping rough need a roof over their heads. They need a warm bed. And we provide that. But they also need a reason to get out of it in the morning. St Martins helps homeless people, and those at risk, by offering them a hand up. We nurture their self esteem and trust in other people. We empower them to make positive choices. To some, we are a lifelong solution. To others, we are a stepping stone to rebuilding their lives. St Martins is a local charity and we have supported people in Norwich and Norfolk for over 50 years.
St Martins works as a part of the broader movement in Norwich and the surrounding area. We work with other voluntary organisations, housing associations, community and church groups to raise awareness of homelessness as one of the principal contributors to social exclusion.
We are a progressive and developing charity, adjusting to the needs of homeless people that are often very complex. Over the last few years, for example, the characteristics of homeless people have changed dramatically. We are now seeing a growing number of young people, women and people with mental health and substance misuse problems.