Working with the homeless

Explore the many career paths available for those committed to addressing homelessness, whether on the frontlines or behind the scenes. Discover a fulfilling career that has a positive impact on people's lives

How can I help homeless people?

If you are passionate about addressing homelessness, there are various career paths to explore. Job titles can vary depending on the organisation you work for, so it is essential to research different opportunities.

To narrow down your options, consider the type of work you would like to do. For example, would you like to work directly with individuals experiencing homelessness, or would you prefer a behind-the-scenes role?

In either case, you could become a:

Other frontline roles involve outreach and support work, homelessness prevention, accommodation or employment advice, and rehousing services. Youth workers can specialise in youth homelessness, while healthcare professionals like adult nurses, mental health nurses, and clinical psychologists work directly with homeless individuals to address their physical and mental health needs.

To contribute more broadly, consider a career in your local council's housing or homelessness services or the head offices of homeless charities. This could involve roles in:

marketing and communications
campaigns
human resources
legal
finance
research and analysis.

To find job vacancies near you, explore council and charity websites. Homeless Link, a national membership charity supporting organisations working directly with the homeless, also offers a job search function.

Follow employers of interest on social media to stay informed about industry and company news, as well as potential job openings. Remember, smaller, local charities might not always have the resources for formal recruitment campaigns. If you're interested in working for one of these organisations, consider sending a speculative application.

What qualifications do I need to work with the homeless?

The qualifications vary depending on the role you are interested in. Entry-level positions such as shelter workers, outreach workers, or administrative assistants may be accessible without a degree, but having one can enhance your chances.

Roles like fundraising or policy may be open to graduates from various fields. However, professions such as social work or nursing require specialised degrees. If you are interested in marketing or finance, a related degree is often essential.

Always research potential jobs and review their requirements to ensure you are prepared.

For more advice on qualifications, see our job profiles.

What work experience do I need to work with the homeless?

While academic qualifications are important, your skills and experience often matter even more. To secure a job, you'll need to show a genuine interest and commitment to working with homeless or vulnerable people. Volunteering is an excellent way to do this.

Look for opportunities with homeless charities where you can get involved in fundraising, campaigning, frontline work, or head office activities. For instance, at Centrepoint, you could become a helpline or independent life skills volunteer, while at Crisis, you could dedicate your time to community engagement or learning mentor volunteering.

In your own community, you could volunteer your time to cook or serve food at a soup kitchen or deliver food parcels to the homeless through a local food bank.

What skills do I need to support the homeless?

To effectively work with and support homeless individuals, you'll need not only job-specific skills but also the following personal qualities:

Compassion and empathy - a genuine understanding of the challenges faced by homeless people.
Exceptional interpersonal skills - the ability to build strong relationships and connect with others.
Excellent communication skills - including active listening.
Teamwork - to collaborate effectively with professionals from various fields.
Patience and resilience - the capacity to handle challenges and maintain a positive attitude.
Discretion - respect for confidentiality and privacy.
Problem solving - the ability to identify and address complex issues.
Proactive and non-judgmental approach - a forward-thinking mindset and an open, unbiased perspective.
A good sense of humour - the ability to find humour in difficult situations.

For more detailed information on the skills you'll need, see how to get a graduate charity job.

Which charities help the homeless?

If you're interested in a career helping the homeless, obvious employers include charities dedicated to supporting homeless people and ending rough sleeping. Nationally, these organisations include:

If you want to make a difference in your local community, consider working for a small or local charity. To find these organisations, you'll need to do some research into what's available near you. For example:

Aberdeen Cyrenians
Emmanuel House Support Centre (Nottingham)
Four Square (Edinburgh)
Help Bristol's Homeless
Huggard (Cardiff)
Jimmy's Cambridge
Launchpad (Reading)
Let's Feed Brum (Birmingham)
Lifeshare (Manchester)
PATH (Plymouth)
Roundabout Homeless Charity (Sheffield)
Simon Community (Belfast)
SPEAR London
St Martins (Norwich)
St Petrocs (Cornwall)
Street Zero (Newcastle)
The Halliday Foundation (Glasgow)
YMCA Lincolnshire (Lincoln)
The Whitechapel Centre (Liverpool).

Besides homeless charities, there are other potential employers in the field. You could work for the Ministry of Housing and Communities, or with your local council or housing association. Another option is to work for Citizens Advice.

While you're likely to find more opportunities in areas with high levels of homelessness, like large cities, the issue is so widespread that you could potentially work anywhere in the UK. According to Shelter's research, London has the highest proportion of homeless people, followed by Luton, Manchester, Brighton and Hove, and Birmingham.

Find out more

Gain an overview of the charity and voluntary work sector.
Find out more about working for a pressure group.