How it works
An intuitive, shared live view.
Spotbed replaces manual availability checks with a simple, shared live view — built around how shelters and referral organisations already work together.
- Step 1
Shelters update availability
Shelters log bed and space availability as it changes, replacing spreadsheets or internal trackers.
- Step 2
Partner organisations see it live
Referral organisations with an established partnership to the shelter see real-time availability for their partner shelters — no more calling around or submitting separate applications.
- Step 3
Faster, better-informed referrals
Staff and volunteers spend less time on manual coordination, and more time supporting the people who need it.
Before and after
The same referral, two ways.
How it works today
- Availability lives in a spreadsheet or an internal tracker.
- Referral staff phone each shelter individually, or submit a separate application to every one.
- Answers arrive whenever someone has the time to make the call.
- Hours go into finding out what's available — not into supporting the person in front of you.
With Spotbed
- Shelters update availability once, as it changes.
- Partner organisations see their own shelters' live status in a single view.
- Referrals are made with current information, not last week's picture.
- Staff and volunteer time goes back to direct support.
Trust and visibility
What's shared — and what isn't.
Spotbed only shows availability between organisations with an existing, established partnership. Who can see what is the part of this we're least willing to compromise on.
What's visible: space
Which beds and rooms are free right now, at the shelters you already work with.
Who can see it: partners
Only organisations with an established partnership. Spotbed is not a public directory.
What isn't shared: people
Availability, not personal details. Spotbed shows where space is — not who is sleeping there.
Where it stops
A support tool, not a decision-maker.
Referral and safeguarding decisions remain with shelter and referral staff at all times. Spotbed supports the process — it doesn't replace professional judgement.
- It doesn't decide who gets a bed.
- It doesn't assess need or risk.
- It doesn't replace the conversation between an outreach worker and a shelter.
Where we are now
Early-stage, and honest about it.
Spotbed is being established as a Community Interest Company and is working directly with shelters and referral organisations across London. The platform isn't live yet — it's being built with the people who'll use it.
Built with partners
The design is shaped by ongoing consultation with the shelters and referral organisations who'll use it.
London first
Starting where the research happened, with the organisations that described the problem.
Seeking funding
We're an early-stage social enterprise looking for funding to build and pilot the platform.
FAQ's
Is Spotbed a public bed directory?
No. Availability is only visible between organisations that already have a working partnership. It is not a public list of shelter spaces.
Does the platform make referral decisions?
No. Referral and safeguarding decisions stay with shelter and referral staff at all times. Spotbed only makes availability visible.
What does a shelter actually have to do?
Log bed and space availability as it changes — the same information many shelters already track in a spreadsheet or internal system.
Is this the Spotbed application?
No. This site explains the project. The platform itself is being built, and will be piloted with partner organisations.
We're building this with the sector — not in isolation.
If you're a shelter, a referral organisation, or a funder, we'd like to hear from you.
Get involved