This Christmas, while many of us gather with family, friends and colleagues, thousands of people across the North East will be facing homelessness, uncertainty and isolation.
Too many lives are cut short because people do not receive the support they need in time, leaving empty seats at family gatherings, among friends and within communities across the country.
At Changing Lives, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to live safely, feel connected and build a brighter future. Through our One Less Empty Seat campaign, we’re inviting organisations to take action and help change that story.
By partnering with Changing Lives this Christmas, your business can help provide life-changing support to people facing homelessness and the complex challenges that often accompany it. Whether through fundraising, donations or wider partnership activities, your support can help people access safe accommodation, specialist services and the practical support they need to rebuild their lives.
Homelessness can happen to anyone. The housing crisis continues to affect more people than ever before. 4,793 people were sleeping rough on a single night in England in autumn 2025, a 3% increase on the previous year and the fourth consecutive annual increase.
With rough sleeping rising most sharply in the North East, an alarming 31% increase, many businesses will see the impact of homelessness within the communities where their employees live and work.
Why your support matters
Behind every statistic is a person. Someone’s parent, sibling, friend or colleague. Someone who deserves the opportunity to rebuild their life.
By supporting Changing Lives this Christmas, your organisation can help provide practical, life-changing support to people who need it most. Your support helps people access safe accommodation, specialist services and the guidance they need to move forward with confidence and hope.
How you can get involved
While many of us gather around tables and exchange gifts this festive season, countless people will be worrying about where they will sleep, how they will stay safe or what the future holds. Together, we can help change that.
There are many ways teams can get involved:
Donate the cost of a festive coffee or lunch.
Organise a Christmas jumper day.
Hold a festive bake sale or office raffle.
Match-fund employee donations.
Replace Christmas cards with a charitable donation.
Make a corporate contribution on behalf of your team.
Sponsor meals and festive activities within our services.
Your support this Christmas can make a significant difference to someone experiencing homelessness. It is more than practical support, it sends a powerful message that they are not alone. Every action, every donation and every partnership helps create opportunities for people to find safety, stability and belonging.
This Christmas, let’s work together to ensure more people have the support they need and the chance to build a brighter future.
To discuss fundraising ideas, making a donation or a becoming a corporate partner, contact Alice Fisher at alice.fisher@ changing-lives.org.uk