We were really proud to see our Deputy CEO, Paulene Connell, invited to join a panel discussion at the Labour Party Conference, hosted by St Martin-in-the- Fields Charity.
The panel brought together people from across the homelessness sector to talk about what it will really take to end rough sleeping, and importantly, what need to happen beyond the immediate focus on getting people off the streets this winter.
For Paulene, who has spent many years working directly with people facing homelessness and other challenges, being part of that conversation was a chance to bring the voice of frontline services into the room.
It Can’t Just Be About Christmas
There is a lot of focus at the moment on getting people off the streets before Christmas.
That’s important. But as people working on the frontline, we know that getting someone through the door is only the beginning.
What happens afterwards matters just as much.
People need somewhere safe to live, but they also need the right support around them. They need time to build trust, work through challenges and start thinking about what comes next.
That’s something we see every day at The Indy.
Listening to the People on the Frontline
One of the biggest things we took from the discussion was the importance of listening to the people who are working directly with those experiencing homelessness.
Frontline workers see the reality of homelessness every day. They know the barriers people face, the gaps in services and how important it is to look at the person rather than just the situation they’re in. Paulene spoke about the importance of keeping that person-centred approach at the heart of the work.
For us, that’s something that will always matter.
Behind every statistic is a person, with their own story, experiences and hopes for what comes next.
Working Together
The panel, hosted by St Martin-in-the-Fields Charity, also highlighted just how important partnership working is.
No single organisation can tackle homelessness on its own. It takes charities, frontline workers, housing providers, local authorities and government working together, listening to each other and sharing what we know.
We’re grateful to St Martin-in-the-Fields Charity for inviting Paulene to be part of such an important conversation, alongside CEO Duncan Shrubsole and others from across the sector.
The conversation doesn’t stop when Christmas is over.
For us, the real focus has to be on what happens in January, February and beyond, and making sure people have the accommodation, support and opportunities they need to move forward.
That’s the kind of long-term change we’re proud to be part of every day at The Indy.