Every time you go out for dinner you could help put an end to homelessness – here's how

Homelessness is something that we should be more conscious of, because, in reality, many of us are just a few pay cheques away from losing a safe home

Think of all the many and various talents and skills that lie hidden, buried deep inside the homeless people you see on the street on your way to work (Getty)

Whatever your politics may be, most of us would agree the cost of solving the nation's homeless crisis would be huge.

Central government, local authorities, faith organisations and the voluntary sector can all play a part, and so they do. Businesses and individuals contribute as well – and one of the simplest ways they can do so is to support the StreetSmart charity scheme, which launches its winter campaign today.

The StreetSmart proposition is a simple one. Participating restaurants during the festive months of November and December will have a table card or a note on the menu explaining that a voluntary £1 is added to the diners’ bill. At the end of each month, the restaurant passes on all of these pound donations to StreetSmart. The charity then uses the funds to support reputable charities for the homeless.

All StreetSmart’s running and operational costs are generously paid for by its sponsors, Deutsche Bank, so every penny in every £1 raised goes directly to the people who need it.

The weather is already turning colder, and it is a moment to think about people experiencing homelessness in such conditions. Homelessness is something that perhaps many of us should be more conscious of, because, in reality, many of us are just a few pay cheques away from losing a safe home.

Homelessness is often much closer to us than we think. There is a thinner line than you may think between the person you see sleeping rough on the street, and the businessman struggling to pay his bills and provide for his family. All it takes is a few mistakes and it could be me, you or anyone of us.

Homelessness is not just about the rough sleeping itself; there are nutritional and health issues often associated with it. The charity I work for, The Felix Project, for example, redistributes surplus food in the local community to those in need and have teamed up with StreetSmart this year to bring more restaurants on board and join together to be able to make a greater difference to those in need.

More than 440 homeless people have died on the street or in temporary accommodation over the last year and in London a homeless person dies every two weeks. It’s horrifying. A lot of these deaths could have been prevented by adequate care and access to better resources. We need to do better and ensure that we do all we can to get them back on their feet and living life to the best of their ability.

I got involved in these projects because it breaks my heart to think of all the many and various talents and skills that lie hidden, buried deep inside the homeless people I see on the street on my way to work. What could they be, given half the chance?

Homelessness is all of our problem. Government agencies, local councils, some businesses, churches and faith groups do much to help. Charities, too, are on the ground providing services and support for homeless people that are making the greatest impact and changing lives.

StreetSmart supports these charities working on the street by raising vital funds. It was set up in 1998 by two ethically-minded London business people: William Sieghart, the founder of Forward Publishing (and Chairman of StreetSmart), and Mary-Lou Sturridge, former director of The Groucho Club, and a hotelier. They figured that many people go out to eat in restaurants and celebrate the spirit of the holidays, so wouldn’t it be great if a charity could harness just a little of that “good cheer” and raise money for worthy charities, at the same time people were enjoying a nice meal out?

In the last 20years they have raised over £8.8m for homeless and vulnerable people across the UK. Just by asking participating restaurants to add a £1 onto all diners’ bills for the eight week duration of the campaign.

So this winter, when you have something to celebrate and want to treat yourself to a pleasant meal out, choose with your heart and visit a StreetSmart restaurant. Visit streetsmart.org.uk for a list of participants.

Marcus Roberts is a volunteer ambassador at The Felix Project