Facts for journalists

If you are a journalist looking for further information, press releases or photographs, or would like to set up an interview, please contact our press office.

About our clients

Every year we survey our clients to produce an overview of their backgrounds, issues and needs. We do this to help us identify trends, such as rising or decreasing levels of substance use or mental health problems, and to compare how these change over time. More importantly, this helps us to plan and tailor our services directly to our client group.

Results from our 2012 survey:

  • 76% of clients are men, 24% of clients were women
  • 73% are between 25 and 54 years old, 9% are under 25 and 18% are over 55.
  • 64% of clients have issues with substance use (drugs and/or alcohol)
  • 64% have a physical health condition (medical condition, vision impaired and/or required regular medication)
  • 70% of clients have mental health issues (diagnosed, suspected, depression and/or self harming)
  • 54% of clients have educational needs (learning disabilities, difficulty reading, difficulty with numeracy, managing money and paying bills)
  • 55% have slept rough
  • 8% have been in care
  • 2% have a UK ex-forces background (and 2% other national armed forces)
  • 45% of clients are ex-offenders or have been in prison

Find out more about homelessness by reading our facts about homelessness pages.

About how St Mungo's helps

  • Housing - we provide accommodation for around 1,700 people in a mix of housing projects from emergency hostels to supported housing to semi-independent homes for people with complex needs. One innovative new project is The Lodge.
  • Health - we supported thousands of clients last year with their mental health and substance use needs. Our LifeWorks A4 4pp April 2011 briefing explains about one ground-breaking psychotherapy service, while we've also highlighted the importance of improving hospital discharge procedures.
  • Work - our Skills and Employment team support people in finding employment, training, further education volunteering and in taking up a range of other activities.

Broader statistics

Nationally

In London

Trends and predictions

St Mungo's is deeply concerned about the worrying trend of rough sleeping numbers rising.

  • Read our latest report on why people are still sleeping rough - Battered, Broken, Bereft - and joint briefings and statements on housing, health, work and welfare issues.