Christmas at the Lodge
The Lodge is a St Mungo’s hostel in London. At most of our hostels, the aim is to move people on as quickly as possible.
A hostel isn’t a home – it’s a temporary solution while someone receives the support they need to find a home. But the Lodge is different. For many of its residents, the Lodge is home for life.
Kate, Activities and Engagement Coordinator, explains why the Lodge works differently, and how she makes Christmas special for the residents.
“The Lodge is home to many of our older clients. Lots of them have slept rough for most of their lives.
They’re used to taking care of themselves – they don’t necessarily want someone like me to tell them how they should be living. But now that they’re older, they need somewhere to settle.
That’s why it’s important that we have a place like the Lodge where people can be safe and maintain their independence. Lots of the residents will be here until their final days. It’s my job to make sure they can enjoy their time here – that they feel at home.
