Alison Hammond shocked and devastated by mum and son spending sixth Christmas homeless in Shelter film

Alison Hammond shocked and devastated by mum and son spending sixth Christmas homeless in Shelter film

Beloved TV personality Alison Hammond backs Shelter’s winter campaign in powerful film with mum spending Christmas homeless with her son in temporary accommodation.

Shelter has today released a powerful new film featuring beloved TV presenter and media personality Alison Hammond, showing the stark reality of what it means to be homeless and living in temporary accommodation at Christmas.

While families across the country look forward to the festive break in the comfort of their own homes, thousands will spend them in crammed into one room, with belongings stacked against damp and mouldy walls — miles away from their family, friends, and communities. One of these families is Alicia, a 39-year-old single mum who is currently homeless in temporary accommodation, with her six-year-old son, Aeon.

In a moving one-to-one conversation, Alison sits down with fellow mum Alicia, who reveals that she and her son Aeon have been homeless for nearly six years — the entirety of his young life. She describes being moved from one temporary place to next, constantly battling mould, damp, and the uncertainty of never knowing when or where they will be sent next. Alison is heartbroken as Alicia shares her Christmas to-do list, which includes buying new mouse traps, chasing up repairs, and tackling mould on the walls, all while trying to make the holiday special for her son.

The film comes at a time when homelessness is at record levels, with 172,420 children currently homeless in temporary accommodation in England — the highest number since records began 21 years ago. Record-high private rents and a chronic shortage of affordable social homes are pushing more families to the brink and robbing them of the basic need of a safe and stable home.

Shelter’s emergency helpline, online advice, and frontline services provide vital support to families facing homelessness. A donation to the charity this winter could help to connect a family with a trained housing adviser who will listen and find practical ways to improve their situation, as well as supporting Shelter to campaign for the changes that will end homelessness for good.

Alicia, 39, is a single mum who is currently homeless and living in temporary accommodation in London with her six-year-old son, Aeon. Aeon has been homeless his entire life. When Alicia first became homeless, she says she “went straight into survival mode.” She said; “You just think, I need to find some kind of stability. I felt really alone and didn’t want to be a burden to anyone. The first temporary accommodation I lived in was awful; there was damp everywhere, you could smell it, and there were bedbugs — I had to throw away all my mattresses. My mental health really suffered, and I felt so isolated, like it was just me and my son against the world. Now, in my current accommodation, there’s mould and mice, and I don’t feel safe. My asthma has gotten worse, my son’s breathing has gotten worse, and there are moments when he stops breathing at night. I feel like I’m getting bounced around, and you start to feel forgotten.”

Talking to Alison about how she feels about another Christmas living in TA, Alicia said:“I want to be excited for Christmas for my son, but deep down I’m not — it’s a catch-22. I love the holidays, but the struggles we’re going through make them hard to enjoy. Still, I try to make it the best I can for him. I’m not asking for much; I just want a stable home where my son feels happy.”

When things became too difficult to manage alone, Alicia reached out to Shelter for support, speaking with a Helpline advisor who helped her understand her legal rights and guided her through her options for securing safer, more suitable temporary accommodation. Alicia said: “When I reached out to Shelter, they really listened. They helped me to understand my rights and gave me the tools to stand up for myself. I felt heard — and when you feel heard, you feel like you can do anything. I want to be that resilient person who overcame homelessness, so my son knows I fought for us. This is happening to so many people right now. Reaching out for support changed everything for me, and I hope my story inspires and empowers others to do the same.”

Alison Hammond, said: “I couldn’t believe what Alicia was telling me — it really got me. She’s a single mum, just like I am, and I felt such a connection with her and the love she has for her son. No one should have to live the way Alicia and Aeon are living.

“Alicia still does everything she can to make Christmas special for Aeon, but behind the scenes it’s like a full-time job — chasing repairs, tackling damp, dealing with mice, sorting legal papers. Both she and Aeon have been struggling with their breathing, and he’s even been in hospital. Can you imagine? This is what she’s facing at Christmas. No family should have to live like that.

“I’m supporting Shelter because they’re there for families like Alicia’s, giving them help and fighting for lasting change to end homelessness for good. Meeting Alicia and hearing her story really moved me — I just want to help and be part of the change we so clearly need.”

Sarah Elliott, Chief Executive Officer at Shelter, said: “Every day we hear from families in temporary accommodation who are terrified of waiting out the winter in appalling conditions, watching their breath hang in the air as damp and mould climbs the walls. Their experience is only worsened by bitter isolation, as many are moved miles away from their extended families, schools, and communities.

“At Shelter, we’re doing everything possible to help parents fight for a better home for their children. No family should face homelessness alone this Christmas. Donate today and you can help connect parents to someone who will provide support now, and in the tough times ahead.”

To support Shelter this winter, visit www.shelter.org.uk/donate

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