Look Ahead

We were delighted to welcome over 30 delegates from across health, housing, and social care to our Breaking the Cycle launch event. The day was filled with insightful breakout sessions, where smaller groups explored how supported housing models can be mainstreamed and made more accessible for those who need them most.

Breaking the cycle is a new report from The Royal College of Psychiatrists, Look Ahead and the National Housing Federation on the vital role of supported housing in mental health discharge. You can read it here:

Today, we’re proud to launch Breaking the Cycle - a new report from the The Royal College of Psychiatrists, Look Ahead and the National Housing Federation on the vital role of supported housing in mental health discharge.

The report shows that shortages in supported housing are leaving people stuck in hospital long after they are clinically ready to leave - putting huge pressure on the NHS and delaying recovery.

📉 In 2024/25 alone, delayed discharge linked to housing shortages led to 121,695 additional mental health bed days, costing the NHS an estimated £102m a year.

🏠 Supported housing isn’t just cheaper than inpatient care - it enables people to recover, rebuild their lives and thrive in the community.

👉 Housing must be treated as healthcare.

Read the report and learn more here: https://www.lookahead.org.uk/supported-housing-crisis-costs-nhs-mental-health-services-in-england-102-million-a-year-new-report-finds/

Last week we celebrated the launch of our Kent-based Hospital Independent Domestic Violence Advocacy (HIDVA) Service. The service works in tandem with the hospital’s safeguarding team to enhance the ability of healthcare professionals to identify those affected by domestic abuse and offer them support. We are sure this partnership will have a fantastic impact for local communities going forward.

We're so proud of our colleague and former customer Tyler for his fantastic speech at LandAid's SleepOut fundraiser. He wowed a crowd of property sector professionals with his inspiring story of overcoming risk of homelessness and his achievements since:

Tyler inspires again at LandAid SleepOut, sharing journey from homelessness to success - Look Ahead Tyler, a former Look Ahead customer, now a member of staff, wowed the audience at LandAid's SleepOut fundraiser by sharing his story.

Ramadan Mubarak to all of our customers, supporters, staff, and everyone observing the holy month.

Local authorities across London and the South East have triggered the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) to protect those experiencing homelessness during the cold snap.

✅ If you see someone sleeping rough, use the StreetLink app to connect them with support services.

🚨 Call 999 if they’re in immediate danger, need medical help, or if they’re under 18 (or with someone under 18).

Let’s work together to keep everyone safe this winter.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas 🎄

Our card this year has been designed by Jemma, a customer at our mental health service in Newham.

It was fantastic to welcome over 120 customers and staff at the end of year festive party of our AnyBODY Can Dance Project, funded by Arts Council England through the National Lottery Projects grant.

Guests enjoyed workshops, freestyle dancing and plenty of goodies.

A huge thank you to everyone who has contributed to our Make Someone's Christmas Brighter fundraising appeal.

Thanks to your generosity, we have been able to provide gifts to over 300 children and fund festive meals and celebrations at each of our services across London and the South East.

We'd like to give special thanks to our corporate partners. Their support has helped us surpass our fundraising target and make Christmas happen for those that need it most.

You can still make a contribution to our campaign here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/lookaheadbrighterchristmas

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence may be over, but our services support individuals with experience of domestic abuse all year round. In Kent, we recently launched our Hospital Independent Domestic Violence Advocacy Service (HIDVA) at Maidstone Hospital, meanwhile, our Male Independent Domestic Abuse Advocacy Service (MIDAAS) team has continued to engage the wider community and key local stakeholders including Swale Borough Council, the Diocese of Rochester and the University of Kent.

Read more here: https://www.lookahead.org.uk/kent-domestic-abuse-team-launch-new-hospital-service-and-engage-community/