David Lloyd Kingston

SPEAR is a charity in South West London that supports people who are experiencing homelessness. We have been helping the most vulnerable in our community for over 35 years, supporting people from homelessness to independence. Our services started in Richmond when two people died sleeping rough on the banks of the River Thames. The local community came together to provide accommodation and prevent it happening again. Our first hostel, Penny Wade House (named after our founder) on the Kew Roundabout, is still going strong today. We now provide support in Richmond, Kingston, Wandsworth, and Sutton. SPEAR supports people experiencing homelessness by providing a rough sleeper outreach team, supported accommodation projects and support to access healthcare and skills, education and employment support. In 2025 we helped 750 people experiencing homelessness. This includes 464 people found rough sleeping.

Kingston Samaritans provide confidential emotional support to people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide. People can speak to us on the telephone at any time of the day or night by calling 116 123 (free call). We also speak to people via email, text and face to face. In 2018 Kingston Branch received approximately 39,000 contacts. We regularly recruit new volunteers and fully train them in preparation to respond to our callers. We visit schools, colleges, universities & other groups. Our general running costs are approximately £40K per year. We have to raise all of our own funds locally, so are hugely grateful for any support that people feel able to give.