Ottolenghi, Nobu and other London restaurants band together to raise money for homelessness charity

Support: from left, StreetSmart director Glenn Pougnet, Sarah Miles from Ace of Clubs, chef Colin Hill and Mark Reynolds from the Three Cheers pub company
Alex Lentati

Hundreds of homeless people will escape the cold this winter — and get a free Christmas dinner — at a day centre thanks to generous London diners.

Ace of Clubs in Clapham Common provides year-round access to essential medical attention, nutritious hot meals, help with documentation, showers, and a community space for more than 100 homeless people every weekday.

It is run by a small team of six paid staff and 50 dedicated volunteers, and stands out in offering its services with “no questions asked” on current drug use or immigration status.

Centre manager Sarah Miles, 53, told the Standard the policy is crucial, as their clients would often otherwise not access any support.

This was shown in the most notable moment of her eight-year tenure - when a GP said Peter, a formerly homeless and critically ill client the team assisted off the street two years ago, would have died within weeks without their intervention. Today Peter is living in sheltered accommodation and recovering contact with his family.

Clients such as Giuliano, have been visiting Ace of Clubs for 20 years. He comes to meet his small group of old friends, talk, and have food. He said: “This place is important in my life. It is my community.”

Everyone pays a contribution of £1 towards a homemade lunch - as the nominal amount creates a “different atmosphere” - and 50p for afternoon tea.

Ms Miles and her team are expecting more than 100 visitors for Christmas dinner and will remain open throughout the holiday period. She said: “Christmas can heighten isolation. When you realise you don’t have any family as such, the sense of family you get from here can become much more important.”

This month readers can support Ace of Clubs through a partnership of 609 restaurants arranged by the charity StreetSmart. Those taking part include Ottolenghi and Nobu, and Dehesa in Carnaby Street. Restaurants will add an optional £1 to diners’ bills that will see grants given to more than 20 organisations, including Ace of Clubs.

Without StreetSmart funding, the day centre would struggle to pay its chef.

Glenn Pougnet, StreetSmart director, said: “The £1s we collect during the busy build-up to Christmas will help dozens of individuals on their journey out of homelessness, so please dine and donate at a participating restaurant.”

To donate see streetsmart.org.uk

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