New College for People Recovering from Homelessness Proving Successful
Posted 01.02.13
An update from St Mungo's finds that its new Recovery College is proving to be a successful learning programme for people who have experienced homelessness.
St Mungo's Recovery College is the first of its type to be situated outside of a mental health trust and the first time the ethos and principles of a Recovery College are being used to support people with experiences of being homeless.
A pilot was trialled in autumn 2012 at St Mungo's skills, employment and learning base in South London. The courses are open to St Mungo's clients, volunteers and staff and delivered by a mix of clients and staff. Some courses are now offered with the Guildhall School of Music, while students keen to learn more are referred on to other organisations such as City Lit, in London, and Ruskin College, Oxford.
The pilot term offered almost 40 different courses around personal development, health and wellbeing, creativity and getting active. In this second term the College is offering 50% more courses, around 60 in total, with 395 students enrolled so far.
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New Centrepoint Service in Brent
Posted 01.02.13
Centrepoint announced new services for homeless young people in north London. The six-bed service will be run by Centrepoint on behalf of the London Borough of Brent for at least a year.
The service is the first part of a partnership with the Borough, which will eventually see up to 32 units of accommodation provided by Centrepoint.
The young people catered for will predominantly be care leavers. Young people referred to the service will stay for between six and 12 months.
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Rise in Rough Sleeping Highlights Need for Services that Respond Quickly
Posted 06.02.13
Figures published today by the Department for Communities and Local Government show rough sleeping numbers in England have increased for the second year in a row.
2,309 rough sleepers were counted or estimated by local authorities to be out on anyone night in 2012. This is up 6% from 2011 (2,181) and 31% from 2010 (1,768).
Responding to the news, Matt Harrison, a Director of Homeless Link, said:
"The harsh economic climate continues to add to rough sleeping numbers. Living on the streets is dangerous, harmful to your health and the longer you spend out the more your problems will multiply.
"It is more important than ever that we continue to invest in a safety net that gets help to rough sleepers quickly and supports them to get back on their feet. Where this has happened, people are more likely to spend less time out and are less likely to sleep rough again.
"With homelessness rising when many charities face cuts, councils need to continue to invest in services that prevent damage to individuals and communities."
The latest rough sleeping figures can be accessed via this link.
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City of London Grant Helps Homeless People into Horticultural Training
Posted 21.02.13
St Mungo's has been awarded nearly £100,000 by the City of London Corporation's charity, City Bridge Trust, to help teach horticultural skills to homeless people in London. The training - part of the Charity's Putting Down Roots programme (PDR) - will help boost employment prospects for homeless people in the horticultural sector.
The funding will support 40 homeless clients to undertake a vocationally-focussed gardening programme and gain on the job experience tending a number of London's local gardens.
PDR volunteers also grow produce at three allotment sites which is sold to local restaurants.
The award is part of a £2 million 'Growing Localities' programme, including £1 million for horticultural training funded by City Bridge Trust. Each grant will inspire disadvantaged people to find apprenticeships and employment in horticulture - from urban bee keeping to growing organic food.
Recognising the importance of London's green spaces for physical and mental wellbeing, the initiative promotes community involvement and volunteering in the local environment - reducing social isolation as well as teaching the value of biodiversity.
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Regulation of Private Landlords Needed to Help Prevent Homelessness
Posted 26.02.13
A new system regulating private landlords is just one of a basket of measures being called for to help end homelessness in England.
With the latest Government figures showing an 11% rise in the number of homeless people, the umbrella body Homeless Link has mapped out steps that need to be taken to prevent and tackle homelessness against a backdrop of service cuts and welfare reform.
'A Place to Call Your Home' sets out measures that need to be taken over the next three, five and ten years.
With one in five households becoming homeless because of the end of an assured short hold tenancy, measures include a new system that regulates private landlords to guarantee minimum quality standards, increase security and length of tenure and safeguard against excessive rents.
The report can be accessed via this link.
