Practical help if you're homeless and on the streets
Get help to find a place to stay if you're on the streets.
This page tells you about other practical support and legal rights if you're on the streets or have no fixed address.
Homeless day centres
Most homeless day centres offer somewhere warm for a hot drink or a chat.
They are usually run by charities and may have paid staff and volunteers.
Practical support could include:
internet access
free or cheap food
showers and laundry
safe storage for your bags
somewhere to charge your phone
clean clothes, toiletries or sleeping bags
Other services
Some homeless day centres have a range of other services, for example:
benefits or immigration advice
support with your health or finding work
educational, therapeutic or social activities
hostel, night shelter or outreach team referrals
Find a homeless day centre near you
How to register with a doctor (GP)
You need to register with a GP surgery so you can see a doctor when you are sick.
It helps if you have at least 1 of the following:
passport
birth certificate
HC2 certificate
CHAIN number (if you're sleeping rough)
letter from a hostel or homeless day centre
You cannot be refused registration just because you do not have proof of address or ID, or because of your immigration status.
You can be refused if the surgery or medical centre is full and not taking on new patients.
Ask the receptionist to write down the reasons if you are told you cannot register with a GP. You may be able to complain.
This NHS leaflet explains your rights to register with a GP.
Specialist medical centres
Some surgeries and medical centres offer specialist services for homeless people, including people with mental health, alcohol or drug problems.
Ask day centres and hostels about specialist medical centres in the area.
COVID-19 vaccine
Groundswell have useful information on how to get your vaccine or booster.
Information is also available in Polish, Romanian, Turkish, Amharic, Arabic and Tigrinya.
How to register to vote
You must register before you can vote in an election.
Voter registration is sometimes called 'being on the electoral register'.
British citizens, EU citizens and some Commonwealth citizens can register to vote.
You must be at least:
16 to register
18 to vote
Find out more about which elections you can vote in on GOV.UK
No fixed address?
You need an address for voter registration, but you do not have to live there.
Fill in an electoral registration form for someone with no fixed or permanent address.
Box 8 on the form asks for an address or place where you spend a large part of your time. For example, a:
hostel or day centre
friend or relative's house
Return the form to the electoral registration office at the council.
Find contact details for your local electoral registration office on GOV.UK
Last updated: 10 January 2022