A national charity marked the opening of a pioneering new learning centre for homeless people in London by calling on the Government to invest more money in education. As Crisis launched the new centre in Commercial Street, East London, it called on political chiefs to do more to provide learning and education opportunities for homeless people.
The Crisis Learning Zone is a pioneering project which aims to re-engage homeless people in education. It offers free courses and learning support; learners are advised by a team of trained teachers, have access to computers, study space, and a range of books. Facilities also include high-tech learning labs equipped with the latest interactive teaching technology.
In calling on the Government to do more, the Chief Executive of Crisis, Shaks Ghosh, said: "Homelessness is a de-skilling [sic] and isolating experience. Building skills, confidence and self-esteem is an essential part of helping homeless people to begin to live independent lives again. There is an appalling lack of facilities offering the support and training which homeless people need to help them back into education and employment. Mainstream education services are often too inflexible and do not take into consideration the complex needs of many homeless people."
The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, has added his voice to the call for more educational support for homeless people and is backing the new Crisis Learning Zone.
Mr Livingstone said: "I welcome the launch of the Learning Zone, a second chance for homeless people to gain from much needed educational opportunities. This kind of support is currently significantly harder for people without homes to access. This facility will cater for specific learning needs and provide an excellent opportunity for homeless people to develop the skills they need to move back into employment. If given the powers I am seeking on learning and skills I will work with Crisis and other voluntary sector organisations to ensure that all Londoners have access to training opportunities that meet their individual needs and specific circumstances."
Mr Livingstone wants the five Learning and Skills Councils in London to be rationalised into one London Learning and Skills Council accountable to the Mayor, with a greater degree of regional flexibility within a clear framework of contributing to meeting national targets.
Crisis is the national charity for single homeless people and works year-round across the UK helping people fulfil their potential and transform their lives.
The charity estimates that there are 380,000 hidden homeless people in Britain, living in hostels, temporary bed and breakfast accommodation, and squats or sleeping on the floors of friends and family.
Source: 24dash.com
A new report based on a survey of homelessness hostels in London found a worrying lack of awareness of how to deal with women affected by violence. Problems identified include the absence of effective procedural guidance, poor policies, and low prioritising of the issues involved.
A Woman's Place: Woman and Hostel Provision in London. Eaves.
www.eaves4women.co.uk
The number of homeless households in Wales reached its highest level. New statistics show that at the end of September 2005, there were nearly 3,800 households in temporary accommodation across Wales. This was about 1,000 more than 18 months earlier. The publication of the figures coincided with the Welsh Assembly's banning of the use of B&B accommodation as a long-term solution for homelessness.
The National Rent Deposit Forum (NRDF) confirmed that it will close at the end of April 2006. The NRDF provided support to organisations helping tenants without savings to secure private rented sector accommodation. It has failed to secure ongoing funding from the Government and it has rejected suggestions of possible merger with homelessness charities, etc.
The homelessness charity Centrepoint was moving towards completing its merger with the London-based Stopover. Centrepoint will run all Stopover services, which are directed at providing accommodation for homeless young people in the Capital. The merger effectively doubles the size of Centrepoint.
A new report from Crisis points at the need for homelessness agencies to increase efforts to gain victim support and engage the witness services in tackling a growing trend of violence against homeless people.
Living in Fear: Violence and Victimisation in the Lives of Single Homeless People.
www.crisis.org.uk