Word on the Water, a book shop in King’s Cross, set up a donation box in June gathering funds for a mobile library that supports people experiencing homelessness.
The bookstore barge, Word on the Water, located on the Regent’s Canal Towpath, set up a new collection point to fundraise for Turn a Corner, the community library providing books, conversation and essentials for those sleeping rough.
This comes after the two companies initially partnered to host a fundraising event for Turn a Corner in 2025 and raised £2,000.
One of Word on the Water’s founders, Paddy Screech, was interested in supporting the initiative after having worked in central London’s homeless sector for 20 years.
The shop’s other founder, who has since passed away, also experienced a period of homelessness himself, spending his time selling books from an old blanket in Embankment tube station.
Over the last year, 12,938 people were sleeping rough, according to the Trust for London, a slight decrease from the year before but still significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels.
Turn a Corner, established by Quaker Social Action, is an essential point of contact and support for London’s homeless and they continue to face the ever-increasing expenses caused by the cost of living.
Watch the video below to hear more about the impact Turn a Corner has, and the fundraising Word on the Water is helping them with.
[Featured Image Credit: Lauren Clarke]
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