Day five of National Safeguarding Adults Week – Homelessness

Welcome to day five of National Safeguarding Adults Week – the aim of which is to create a time where we can all focus on safeguarding adults – so we can be better, together.

Today we are be focusing on raising awareness of Homelessness.

Help us to raise awareness of this key issue facing adults at risk by:

• learning about the issue from our resources and information
• sharing these resources within your organisation and with the people you meet
• using the #SafeguardingAdultsWeek hashtag on social media to share our resources and let us know what you’re doing
• holding safeguarding events and training
• Share our MSP NSW briefing DAY 5 Homelessness

Homelessness covers a wide range of circumstances from sleeping on the streets, to families living in bed and breakfast hotels, to those without a home of their own.  There is no single reason why someone can end up without a home. Personal circumstances and wider factors both play their part.

• Find out more in our homelessness – advice for practitioners resource.

Housing and Homelessness
Manchester City Council and partners have produced some excellent booklets that give a step-by-step guide through housing options and provide information and advice to support individuals and families to stay in their home – find these and more in our housing and homelessness resource.

• Practitioners and the public can find local links and advice on the Manchester City Council website at www.manchester.gov.uk/homeless_people
• Find out what the GMCA are doing to tackle homelessness on their website at www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/homelessness/

What can you do?
Find out what you can do to help homeless people – whether it is offering your time, giving practical items, making a donation or helping to change policies – there is lots you can do to make a difference.

Here are some ways you can get involved and support people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness:

• See people not labels – so many people experiencing homelessness feel isolated; speaking to someone in need could make a real difference to their day.
• If someone is already homeless – encourage them to contact the local authority who may be able to help them find suitable temporary accommodation or private rented sector properties.
• Support people to contact organisations who offer various services for homeless people and those at risk of becoming homeless – find out more at www.manchester.gov.uk/homeless_people
• Reach out for support – if you are concerned about a friend or family member then please ask for support – visit  www.manchester.gov.uk/homeless_people
• Support Big Change MCR – giving money directly to the homeless doesn’t help people long-term- support the work of Big Change MCR at streetsupport.net/bigchangemcr/  to provide real, long-term solutions.
• Give help by donating spare items or funds – support organisations always need items, from hot drink supplies to IT equipment; visit streetsupport.net/give-help/   or bedeverynight.co.uk/ to find out how to help.
• Register as a volunteer – offer your skills and resources to an organisation near you such as streetsupport.net/give-help/volunteer/ or www.boothcentre.org.uk/volunteer or www.coffee4craig.com/
• Keep in touch – keep up to date with the work of these local support services by subscribing to their newsletter or following them on social media.
• Get your business involved – by supporting the movement to end homelessness, you can play a key role in supporting charities and volunteer groups, and help to change policy – visit www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/homelessness/ or streetsupport.net/give-help/ to find out how.