In 2013 an estimated 2,414 people slept rough on any one night according to the Government's rough sleeping statistics. The figures show that the number of people sleeping rough has increased by 37 per cent since 2010.
The 2013 report: No More: Homelessness through the eyes of recent rough sleepers (pdf) looked at the experiences and issues that had led to clients sleeping rough. The report shows there are often underlying factors such as a traumatic childhood, problematic drug or alcohol use, and mental ill health. There are then ‘triggers' that lead to a person sleeping rough such as relationship breakdown, eviction, leaving prison and bereavement.
Read our real life stories to find out more about the experiences of clients at St Mungo's Broadway.
If you are concerned about someone rough sleeping call the national StreetLink line on 0300 500 0914.
Join our campaign, A Future. Now and demand action on homelessness.