In my current role, it is my responsibility as the go-to ‘Housing Lead’ to provide my team with regular updates and knowledge of the external outreach and engagement projects that are available to service users, who are also homeless.
Following the Homeless Reduction Act 2017, the need for greater understanding and awareness of external provisions became critical, thus helping the team support claimants to a greater degree.
I immediately recognised that improving external awareness, as well as the planning and effective skills of local projects, would invigorate much more meaningful conversations and productivity between team members and homeless claimants, otherwise known as some of the most vulnerable amongst society.
Acknowledging the need for improvement, I actioned this by identifying local projects that aimed their services at supporting vulnerable and homeless people. I volunteered hours working with numerous homeless agencies in central London, like service ledsuch as service-led provisions, homeless shelters and outreach projects.
Executing various voluntary roles enabled me to develop and enhance my skills and experience of homelessness in greater depth within a dynamic, positive-friendly, and supportive environment. The practical experience equipped me with attaining crucially relevant - but practical transferable - skills and knowledge. On my return to the office, I led weekly learning sessions in which I provided colleagues with progressive feedback on my experiences and encounters. The sessions were an informative and engaging analysis of the provisions available. Highlighting the necessary steps needed to access facilities, I further projected the importance of understanding individual needs, encouraging claimants to access the services and emphasised the role they’d play in aiding their progression.