Barons Court Project Moves Closer to 'Raising the Roof'

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Charity marks 40 years of supporting homeless residents at gala event

Guan Chow with one of his paintings

March 23, 2026

Barons Court Project, Hammersmith & Fulham’s only day centre for people who are homeless or living with mental health conditions, has taken a major step forward in its campaign to expand its Talgarth Road headquarters.

The charity is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and says the planned redevelopment will allow it to support more residents with dignity, safety and space.

The Raising the Roof appeal aims to convert the unused loft of the charity’s three-storey Victorian building, creating a new art studio, laundry facilities, a lounge and a small library for guests. The expansion would relieve long-standing pressure on the centre, where demand for services has grown sharply in recent years.

The project is being supported by Hammersmith & Fulham Council, which has pledged to match all public donations and make an additional contribution of its own. The appeal has already secured almost £200,000 of its £358,000 target.

Earlier this month, the campaign received a significant boost at a fundraising gala held at the historic Girdler’s Hall in the City of London. The event was hosted by the Girdler’s Company and attended by Council Leader Cllr Stephen Cowan, Mayor Cllr Sharon Holder, Deputy Mayor Cllr Daryl Brown, and Cllr Florian Chevoppe-Verdier, the cabinet member for public realm.

Mayor Holder praised the charity’s four decades of work, saying the council was proud to support an organisation that “plays a crucial role in preventing homelessness and gives local people the chance to rebuild their lives close to home.”

The gala brought together residents, corporate partners, local foundations and long-standing supporters in the wood-panelled surroundings of Girdler’s Hall. Their presence, organisers said, reflected the breadth of community backing behind the appeal.

Chief executive Michael Angus opened the evening by recalling winters when guests arrived cold from sleeping outside only to find every seat taken. Some sat on the floor; others stood to eat their meal. “It was never the welcome we wanted to offer,” he told attendees, underscoring why the expansion is urgently needed.

Chelsea FC defender Levi Colwill sent a video message praising the charity’s work, while singer Celine Love performed live. Staff from the Chelsea FC Foundation and Fulham FC Foundation donated signed memorabilia and match tickets for the auction.

L-R: Cllr Florian Chevoppe-Verdier, Cllr Daryl Brown, Cllr Stephen Cowan, Michael Angus, Mayor Cllr Sharon Holder and Adrian Udal, Master of the Girdler's Company

Self-taught artist Guan Chow, who experienced homelessness in 2015, spoke about how joining the charity’s art club helped him discover a talent for painting. What began as a hobby became a way to express emotion, struggle and hope, and he now uses his work to support others facing hardship.

Barons Court Project provides more than 50 forms of support, including meals, showers, laundry, clothing, one-to-one guidance and creative activities. Angus emphasised that the charity’s ethos — centred on transformation, hope and love — is what defines the welcome offered to every guest.

One attendee from the local business community paused at the charity’s Homeless Made exhibition and offered a simple reflection: “This is not simply about a building. It is about dignity.” The comment captured the spirit of the evening and the purpose of the appeal.

The Raising the Roof campaign is being run through Spacehive, the crowdfunding platform used by Hammersmith & Fulham Council to support community projects. Once a campaign attracts 20 backers, it unlocks match funding from the council, doubling eligible donations.

With the appeal approaching its closing date of 22 April, the charity is inviting residents and local businesses to help complete the final stretch. Construction is expected to begin later this year, bringing long-awaited improvements to a centre that thousands of people have relied on over the past four decades.

“Every donation brings us closer to opening the doors to a more spacious and welcoming home for the people who need it most,” Mr. Angus said.

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