An end of year message from CEO, Alexia Murphy  

If I had to sum up this year in one sentence, I’d say: it’s been tough without a doubt, but we’ve made progress.  

It’s no secret that the economic environment has been difficult for everyone in recent years, at the same time demand for homelessness services continues to rise across the country. We’ve had to be innovative, resourceful, and resilient to not only survive but continue to provide high-quality services. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the challenges, but I am pleased to say that there’s room for optimism too.  

From securing better contracts to deliver accommodation services for local authorities, to winning government funding to boost our Middlesbrough rough-sleeping team, to expanding our social-housing offer by buying and developing new properties in London and the North East, I am delighted to tell you that we’ve been steadily making progress despite tough conditions.  

We were thrilled when a productive meeting with the current Homelessness Minister just before the Autumn helped to secure a huge win in the Budget.

Together with our partners, we secured a change in Government policy to help young people living in our supported accommodation keep more of the money they earn, instead of being disadvantaged by their employment status.

This was closely followed by the launch of the Government’s Homelessness Strategy, which has adopted other key Depaul UK policy asks around a new supported accommodation programme and prevention work. We look forward to working with the Government in 2026 to ensure its new strategy leads to lasting, sustainable change.  

As well as organisational achievements, there’ve been plenty of personal highlights too. One was tasting jam made by our clients using fruit they had grown or foraged. It might not sound like much, but I know what it took to get that jam on the table and that’s what made it special. To be able to learn new skills and create something like jam is wonderful. I felt incredibly proud of the staff who worked with them, because I knew just how much effort went into making that happen.  

Another highlight of the year was watching three of our client reps master public speaking at a workshop I delivered. Within three hours they’d gone from feeling unsure and anxious to holding themselves up and delivering powerful three-minute speeches off the bat. I was absolutely blown away. 

One young woman, who’d been particularly nervous, later delivered a speech at a major donor event – I was amazed, the change in her confidence was astonishing.  

Our inspiring client reps even played a key role in securing a new three-year partnership with the ethical bank Gatehouse. Their CEO Charles Haresnape was so impressed when he met client rep Jack that he wanted to do more. We’re thrilled to announce that he’s now the newest member of our board of trustees.  

This year also marked a special milestone: our 12-year partnership with the People’s Postcode Lottery. At an event in October, we celebrated their extraordinary £25 million investment in our work. They have transformed our ability to prevent homelessness through services like Nightstop, family mediation and our education programme. Thanks to them, this vital work is stronger, and reaching more young people, than ever before. 

And I can’t let the year pass without acknowledging the incredible progress we’ve made with our partners at the New Horizon Youth Centre. Together, we’ve been helping young people in London move off the streets into emergency accommodation and then into stable long-term housing. The outcomes have exceeded even our own expectations, with exceptionally high rates of young people staying off the streets. We look forward to growing this partnership in the year ahead. 

But it’s really with genuine heartfelt gratitude that I want to thank each and every supporter, volunteer, and partner we work with for your dedicated support, kindness and commitment this year. 

I often worry that people underestimate the difference they’re making. So, believe me when I say you are the difference we are making, the reason we are moving forward at times when other charities are struggling, you’re the reason we are preventing and not just responding to homelessness. 

With sincere thanks, I wish you the warmest of Seasons Greetings and much prosperity for the year ahead. 

Alexia