You don’t have to be on the streets to be homeless.
Sofa-surfing. Staying somewhere unsafe because there’s nowhere else to go. Holding it together on the surface while everything underneath unravels.
If that’s you, we see you. And we can help before it becomes a crisis.
For women aged 18–40 in East London, Bromley and South East London.
In danger right now?
Call 999. Domestic abuse: 0808 2000 247 (free, 24 hours). At risk of losing your home in the next 56 days? Your council has a legal duty to help - contact them now, or call Shelter on 0808 800 4444.
OUR STORY
“SBSC began with lived experience, not theory.”
— Cynthia Kesington, Founder
Our founder spent years navigating housing instability, then survived domestic abuse. She stayed longer than was safe, because housing insecurity made leaving feel impossible.
When homelessness followed, it didn’t look like sleeping on the streets. It looked like sofa-surfing, staying quiet, enduring unsafe situations, and holding it together on the surface while everything underneath was unravelling.
That’s hidden homelessness. It’s widespread, it’s misunderstood, and official systems rarely see it. Women are forced to choose between abuse and homelessness - then turned away because their situation doesn’t fit the definition of need.
We exist to close that gap.
WHAT WE DO
We get there early - before it becomes a crisis.
We support women who are sofa-surfing, in temporary accommodation, or staying somewhere unsafe just to keep a roof over their heads.
Believed, not judged
Somewhere your story is listened to, not assessed.
You’re not on your own
Movement, connection, and other women who understand. Hidden homelessness is lonely, so that’s where we start.
Real next steps
Housing advice, knowing your rights, and someone in your corner when you go to the council.
SINCE 2023
What belief makes possible.
200+
women reached
95%
feel safer and less isolated
80%
feel more equipped
OUR TEAM
The women behind it.
Cynthia Kesington
Founder & CEO
Trina Dawkins
Team Member
Busola Filani
Team Member
Gloria Sarpong
Advisory Board