Reflecting on World Homeless Day 2026

Written by Natasha Halligan from SIFA Fireside

World Homeless Day is a chance to not only increase awareness around the issue of homelessness, but also to highlight the causes of it, and the challenges facing people for whom homelessness is a lived reality.

On Saturday 10 October 2026, organisations across the globe were shining a spotlight on homelessness and the ways that we can work together to truly bring it to an end.

SIFA Fireside marked the occasion by attending two key fundraising events, including the launch of our new landmark SIFA Firewalk and by participating in the Birmingham 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness.

The Firewalk fundraiser saw brave individuals facing the heat to walk over red-hot coals whilst raising vital funds to help us continue supporting people facing homelessness in Birmingham. The exhilarating evening was also a great opportunity to raise awareness of the support services that we provide in our local community and why they are so needed.

A special thanks to Shirley Golf Club for generously allowing us use of their grounds and facilities, which made the event possible.

Members of SIFA Fireside staff also took part in the Birmingham 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness, with some choosing to run 5km laps in the relay, whilst others helped to lead a walking lap alongside The 24 Hour Run organisers. It was powerful to see so many people coming together from across the region and beyond, to stand against homelessness and raise money for both SIFA and St Basils – a charity specialising in supporting young people facing homelessness.

SIFA Fireside are also a member of Homeless Link, a national network of charities working directly with people experiencing homelessness. To mark World Homeless Day this year, Homeless Link hosted a parliamentary drop-in session for MPs on 12 October, where policy experts were on hand to bring the voices and insights of frontline services into the heart of Westminster.

During the event, an exhibition of quotes from these frontline services were displayed, highlighting the changes we need to see to make the Prime Minister’s ambition of ending rough sleeping a reality.

Word Homeless Day is always a great opportunity to focus people’s attention on the issue, but we know it will take far more than one day per year to make lasting change. That is why charities like SIFA Fireside exist. We will keep showing up to support our community and keep pushing for the systemic causes of poverty and homelessness to be addressed.

Visit the website to find out more about the Birmingham 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness.