SWLLC brings Wandsworth together to fix the five basics in temporary accommodation 

As part of the Better Temporary Accommodation Alliance’s national Fix the Five Basics campaign, South West London Law Centres brought together councillors, residents with lived experience of temporary accommodation, local voluntary sector partners, and housing solicitors for a community learning lunch in October 2025. 

The session focussed on what it takes for people in temporary accommodation to live with dignity and stability: the ability to cook, connect, wash, store, and understand. We utilised this community lunch to reflect on where Wandsworth is doing well, where gaps remain, and how we can move forward. Residents shared first-hand experiences that grounded the conversation in real life, while partners brought practical ideas that can work within local systems. 

Key themes from the discussion: 

Cook: Families need safe access to basic cooking facilities so children can eat well and household budgets can stretch further. 

Connect: Digital access is essential for education, work, services and staying in touch. Connectivity should be practical, affordable and reliable across placements. 

Wash: Access to washing is improving locally. Drying space is still a challenge for many families and needs attention. 

Storage: A more coordinated approach is needed so families are not forced to discard belongings when moved between placements. 

Understand: Clear information and communication between housing teams, advice providers and residents helps people know their rights, contacts and next steps. 

Councillors at the session pledged to work on these issues with residents and partners. A follow-up meeting will take place on 17 December 2025 to check progress, review proposals and ideas on fixing the five basics, and agree practical next steps. 

Want to join the next meeting? 
Email comms@swllc.org with a short introduction about who you are and why you would like to attend the 17 December meeting. We will share a brief summary in advance so everyone arrives with the same information. 

At South West London Law Centres, our role is to listen to the community, bring people together and keep the focus on solutions that improve everyday life. Thank you to everyone who took part, shared experiences and offered ideas.  

It is essentially that we work collectively to push for and fix the five basics.