WSUP

What WSUP does

WSUP (Woolwich Service Users Project) is a registered charity (Charity Number 1175999) headquartered at 107 Brookhill Road, London SE18 6BJ, operating since 2010 as a single-site drop-in service for people experiencing homelessness, poverty, addiction, mental health challenges, and social isolation in the Royal Borough of Greenwich. Its core offering is free, walk-in access to hot meals, showers, haircuts, laundry, and a clothing bank — a service bundle described as unique within the borough — combined with scheduled in-reach clinics from external partner organisations (Kings College Hospital for liver/Hep C screening, Via for drug and alcohol support, Release for legal advice, Emmaus Greenwich and Royal Borough of Greenwich for housing, Jobcentre Plus, Salvation Army Employment Plus, Change Grow Live outreach nursing, and Irish Community Services). Supplemented activities include yoga, breathwork, art therapy, anxiety/self-esteem courses, and a Democracy Drive voter-registration programme with Woolwich Centre Library.

The organisation runs on a 6-person paid staff team supported by 60+ volunteers, with an additional layer of ~50 corporate and community partner organisations providing funding, food donations (Pret a Manger, Greggs, Gail's), venue support (Woolwich Works, St Peter the Apostle Church), and specialist volunteer time. It is governed by a board of Trustees, with Darek Karwacki appointed as Chief Executive Officer in July 2024.

Revenue is generated from a diversified mix of sources including individual donations (processed via PayPal and JustGiving), recurring corporate partnerships (suggested £50-£400 per month tiers), branded merchandise sales through an online e-commerce shop, fundraising events (Masquerade Charity Ball, Big Sleep Out, classical concerts, art exhibitions), and institutional grants (National Lottery Community Fund, Commonweal Housing, Europe Challenge Programme, Royal Borough of Greenwich, Groundwork London, Asda Foundation, Greenwich Mental Health Hub). The technology stack is deliberately lightweight, comprising a WordPress website, Mailchimp newsletter, PayPal/JustGiving/Eventbrite/Ticket Tailor for payments and ticketing, and PeopleCheck for volunteer DBS checks; there are no proprietary software products, mobile applications, or AI/ML capabilities described.

Name

WSUP

Legal name

Woolwich Service Users Project

Website

https://wsupwoolwich.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

WSUP is a UK registered charity (No. 1175999) operating a single-site drop-in centre in Woolwich, Greenwich, delivering free meals, showers, laundry, haircuts, clothing, wellbeing activities and partner-agency referrals to people experiencing homelessness, poverty, addiction and mental health challenges in the Royal Borough of Greenwich.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homelessness and Community Welfare Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Temporary Shelters (624221)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC), Community Health, Prevention & Health Education (BPAGACAC)

Keywords

• Homelessness support services
• Community drop-in centre
• Charity fundraising events
• Corporate social partnerships
• Welfare referral services

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: WSUP relies on financial donations from individuals and organizations to fund operations. They run fundraising events including charity balls, sleep-outs, concerts, and art exhibitions. They also encourage corporate monthly donations ranging from £50 to £400.
2. Online Shop Sales: WSUP operates an online merchandise shop selling items such as coffee cups (£10), tote bags (£12), water bottles (£8), and shopping trolley tokens (£2). All profits go towards supporting the project.
3. Corporate Partnerships: Monthly corporate donations ranging from £50 to £400 provide sustainable funding. Corporate partners receive recognition on the website, discounted meeting space hire, and invitations to yearly events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

WSUP operates a community drop-in centre in Woolwich, London providing free practical services—hot meals, showers, haircuts, laundry, and a clothing bank—to people experiencing homelessness, poverty, addiction, and mental health challenges. Services are delivered without appointment requirements, supplemented by a wellbeing activities programme (yoga, breathwork, meditation, art therapy, anxiety-reduction courses) and a referral network connecting guests with external housing, healthcare, legal, and employment partners. The charity also generates revenue through an online merchandise shop, corporate partnerships, and fundraising events to sustain operations.

Product overview

WSUP (Woolwich Service Users Project) is a grassroots charity operating as a single integrated service rather than a platform architecture. The core offering is the Drop-In Centre providing essential services (meals, showers, laundry, haircuts, clothing bank) supplemented by a Wellbeing Activities Programme (yoga, breathwork, meditation, art), a Partner Services Programme connecting guests with external support organisations (housing, legal, healthcare, employment), and an Online Shop selling branded merchandise. Additional services include a Signposting Directory, Fundraising Events, Volunteer Programme, Corporate Partnerships, and the Democracy Drive civic engagement programme. The Drop-In Centre serves as the central hub, with all other services feeding into or complementing guest support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• WSUP Drop-In Centre Safe, non-judgmental drop-in centre offering hot meals, showers, haircuts, laundry service, and a clothing bank to people experiencing homelessness, poverty, addiction, or other life challenges in Greenwich. No booking required. Open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (women only), and Saturday.
• Wellbeing Activities Programme Range of health and wellbeing activities including breathwork, yoga, sonic meditation, art workshops, Falun Gong, and courses on reducing anxiety and boosting self-esteem, provided free or at low cost to guests.
• Signposting and Advice Service Directory of support services including cultural services, drug and alcohol services, food banks, housing services, medical services, mental health services, sexual health services, and women's services, connecting guests with appropriate community resources.
• WSUP Online Shop E-commerce shop selling merchandise including WSUP-branded tote bags, water bottles, pens, coffee cups, and shopping trolley tokens. All profits fund the charity's operations.
• Corporate Partnerships Programme Monthly donation programme inviting businesses to support WSUP with monthly contributions of £50–£400, offering recognition benefits including website listing, logo placement, discounted meeting space hire, and invitations to annual events.
• Fundraising Events Organised fundraising events including the annual Masquerade Charity Ball, Big Sleep Out, classical music concerts, art exhibitions, and community events to raise funds and awareness for the charity's services.
• Democracy Drive Voter registration and civic engagement programme delivered in partnership with Woolwich Centre Library to help homeless people and those facing barriers to democratic participation register to vote and obtain Voter Authority Certificates.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70 people tested for hepatitis C and liver issues through monthly Kings College Hospital clinic, with 15+ referred for treatment
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.

• PunchdrunksupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Local theatre company that ran art therapy workshops with WSUP guests, culminating in art exhibitions showcasing work exploring themes of mental health and democracy.
• Woolwich Centre LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership for Democracy Drive project to increase voter turnout among homeless people. Library helped guests register to vote and apply for Voter Authority Certificates.
• Kings College HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMonthly clinic at WSUP for liver screening and hepatitis C testing. Since July 2024, over 70 people have been seen, with 15+ testing positive for fibrous scan and being referred for treatment.
• Via (Drug and Alcohol Services)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVia support workers attend WSUP every Tuesday 10am-2pm to meet with guests concerned about alcohol or drug use and provide appropriate support.
• Release (Legal Service)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFree legal support on issues including homelessness, housing insecurity, debt and drugs. Available first and third Tuesday of the month, 11am-2pm.
• Salvation Army (Employment Plus)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerTailored support to help guests become job-ready, get a job and stay in work. Available first Monday of the month.
• Jobcentre PlussupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBenefits advice, housing benefit guidance, job search support, interview skills and CV help. Available second Monday of the month.
• Emmaus GreenwichcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWelfare advice, visa applications, ID support, furniture aid, supported housing referrals, healthcare referrals, employment support, counselling referrals, and domestic violence support. Available every Monday 11am-3pm.
• Royal Borough of Greenwich (Housing Services)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing advice and support for rough sleepers or those at risk of homelessness. Available every Tuesday 11am-12pm.
• Change Grow LivesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerOutreach nurse providing basic health checks, blood pressure monitoring, diabetes checks, wound care, pregnancy screening, sexual health referrals, GP registration assistance, drug and alcohol conversations, Naloxone provision and harm reduction clinics.
• Irish Community ServicessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerWelfare and benefits advice with support filling in council housing and benefit application forms. Available every Tuesday 10am-12pm.
• Homeless LinkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational membership charity for frontline homelessness services. Partnership for feasibility study on Pivot House supported housing model for survivors of modern slavery.
• Woolwich WorkssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner for Big Sleep Out fundraising event and art exhibitions showcasing WSUP guest artwork.
• St Peter the Apostle ChurchsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue for fundraising classical music concerts and events.
• Max CommunicationssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDavid Cordery, Director of Max Communications, serves as WSUP Trustee. Company provides website design, development and maintenance, and staff volunteer time.
• Pret a MangersupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerDonates leftover food every Friday night, which is distributed to WSUP guests.
• GreggssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerDonates food items to support WSUP operations.
• Gail'ssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerDonates bakery items to support WSUP guests.
• GCDAsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrought laptops to WSUP to help guests sign up for Learn My Way digital skills programme.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Centrepoint: National UK charity supporting young people experiencing homelessness, providing accommodation, health support, and skills training. Directly comparable as a homelessness-focused charity offering multi-service support and referral pathways.
• Depaul UK: UK charity working with young people and adults experiencing homelessness and disadvantage. Comparable integrated service model combining accommodation, mental health, and wellbeing support with a volunteer-driven culture.
• Crisis UK: National homelessness charity offering education, employment, housing, and wellbeing services through year-round centres. Comparable mission and integrated-services model, with a larger national footprint than WSUP.
• Thames Reach: London-focused charity supporting people out of homelessness through outreach, accommodation, and employment programs. Direct geographic and service overlap with WSUP's Greenwich operations.
• St Mungo's: Major London homelessness charity providing outreach, recovery housing, and support services. Highly comparable given shared London geography, multi-service model (shelter, health, employment referrals), and reliance on donations and grants.
• Emmaus UK: UK federation supporting people out of homelessness through residential communities and social enterprise. Emmaus Greenwich is already a WSUP referral partner; Emmaus's supported-housing model parallels WSUP's emerging Pivot House direction.
• Caritas Anchor House: East London homelessness charity providing accommodation, advice, training, and wellbeing services. Directly comparable integrated-service approach with a similar combination of frontline support and external referral pathways.
• Spitalfields Crypt Trust: East London charity supporting people facing homelessness, addiction, and mental health challenges through drop-in, recovery, and housing services. Closely comparable service architecture to WSUP at a slightly larger scale.

Broad incumbents

• Shelter: National housing and homelessness charity providing advice, legal services, and campaigning. Wider scope and brand scale than WSUP, but overlapping mission around homelessness prevention and frontline support.
• Look Ahead Care and Support: Large London-based supported housing and care provider serving people experiencing homelessness, mental ill-health, and learning disabilities. Comparable as a London homelessness support provider, but operates at substantially greater scale and contract-driven funding.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wsup-woolwich

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about WSUP