Spare Room is a London-based co-operative that’s been working with destitute people seeking asylum for over 12 years. We help ordinary people who have a spare room in their home and a heart for hospitality to give someone in desperate need a place to stay. It can be for anything from a few days to several months. Each host sets their own limit, which is supported by Spare Room.

It can be for anything from a few days to several months. Each host sets their own limit, which is supported by Spare Room.

 

 Do you have a spare room that could make a real difference to someone’s life?

The need

There is enormous need in London alone. Innocent people, who were forced to flee war, persecution, domestic violence and famine and other disasters, have come here seeking refuge. And yet they are denied basic human rights like food, shelter and the right to work.

A simple way to make a big difference

Spare Room gives people seeking asylum a room in a real home. This means that as well as getting food and shelter, they are less isolated from society. What’s more, it gives you the host a chance to meet some quite extraordinary people from all over the world.

We assess both hosts and guests and make every effort to match guests and hosts as carefully as possible. We also offer ongoing support and
regular ‘check-in’ to check things are going well. We’ve placed over 45 guests and seen a real difference made to so many people.

A rewarding experience

The idea of inviting a total stranger into your home can be quite daunting at first. But the positives far outweigh the negatives. In fact, many of our hosts say it’s one of the most rewarding things they’ve done and some remain friends for years afterwards.

We operate mainly in London and the surrounding counties, although we have worked with hosts as far afield as Yorkshire and Liverpool.

Interested in volunteering to be a host? Why not find out more about hosting? Or you can get in touch about hosting now.

 

Spare Room’s aims are to: