StreetSmart is preparing to launch its 2026 fundraising campaign on Sunday 1 November, bringing together restaurants across the UK to raise money for charities supporting people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity.
Now in its 29th year, the initiative invites participating restaurants to add a voluntary £1 donation per table to diners’ bills throughout November and December, with all proceeds supporting frontline homelessness projects.
The campaign is supported by LandAid, the property industry charity working to end youth homelessness, which covers StreetSmart’s operating costs to ensure that 100% of donations reach charitable projects.
Since its establishment in 1998, StreetSmart has raised more than £16.2 million, supporting organisations providing emergency accommodation, meals, healthcare, employment training, housing advice and pathways towards permanent housing.
The campaign raised £1,178,000 in 2025, with approximately 650 restaurants participating across the UK.
Funds raised through StreetSmart are distributed to projects within the communities where donations are collected, helping to support local organisations addressing homelessness and its underlying causes.
The 2026 campaign will welcome several new restaurant supporters, including Joro in Sheffield and Trillium in Birmingham.
New participating London restaurants include 2210 by Natty Can Cook, Cloth Cornhill, Lunette and Bar Blondie.
They will join established StreetSmart supporters including St John, Barrafina, Gymkhana, Lina Stores and The Wolseley.
Luke French, owner of Joro in Sheffield, has spoken about the personal importance of supporting the initiative, having experienced supported housing during his early years.
French said: “Having spent my early years in supported housing, I know first-hand just how important it is to have a safe place to call home. Supported housing is about so much more than putting a roof over someone’s head – it provides stability, security, hope and the opportunity to build a better future. That’s why the work of StreetSmart and its winter campaign means so much to me personally. Everyone deserves somewhere safe to sleep and the chance to move forward in life. Sometimes, having someone believe in you and offer you a helping hand can make all the difference.”
The campaign is designed to make charitable giving straightforward for hospitality businesses and their customers, with participating restaurants collecting donations through their existing billing systems.
Contributions are entirely voluntary, with diners able to decline the suggested donation.
The initiative also allows restaurants of different sizes to participate, from independent operators to established groups, helping the hospitality industry contribute to projects supporting vulnerable people.
Three Michelin-starred chef Mark Birchall, whose restaurant Moor Hall supports the campaign annually, highlighted the importance of the industry’s involvement.
Birchall said: “Unfortunately, homelessness is a very real issue all over the UK. The discretionary £1 donation is a small contribution which can make a huge difference. We are so pleased to be able to support this cause and incredible work that StreetSmart does locally and across the country.”
StreetSmart’s partnership with LandAid helps direct funding towards local charities supporting people experiencing homelessness, including young people facing housing insecurity.
The projects supported by the campaign provide practical assistance ranging from emergency accommodation and essential services to training and employment opportunities intended to help individuals achieve greater independence.
The initiative also receives support from hospitality and media organisations including the MICHELIN Guide, The Good Food Guide, OpenTable, TopJaw, Broadsheet and The Standard, helping to promote participation among restaurants and diners.
Anna Watkins, Managing Director of Barrafina, said: “StreetSmart is a charity very close to our hearts here at Barrafina. With our restaurants being in central London and us all seeing the devastating impact of homelessness on people’s lives every day, we are proud to promote their tireless work in providing shelter and a home as well as tackling the root causes of homelessness.”
The campaign returns as homelessness and housing insecurity continue to affect communities across the UK, with participating hospitality businesses providing an established fundraising channel during the busy festive trading period.
Building on the £1.178 million raised last year, StreetSmart hopes to increase support for local charitable organisations through continued participation from independent restaurants, hospitality groups and their customers.
Restaurants, pubs and hotels of all sizes are encouraged to get involved, with the campaign running from 1 November until 31 December 2026.