Spotlight on Adavu

by Liisa Wiseman, Director Modern slavery and homelessness often go hand-in-hand, with homelessness frequently being a significant contributing factor to people becoming victims of trafficking, as well survivors being more at risk of ending up homeless. As the homelessness charity, The Passage, states  “We have found that homelessness is a common denominator in the issue […]

Postcards from the streets: the new campaign supporting Birmingham’s most vulnerable people

It’s a sad truth that while Christmas often inspires acts of kindness towards vulnerable people, the same cannot always be said for the months when the weather is warmer. But SIFA Fireside, the Birmingham support service for those experiencing homelessness, is making sure that the solution to this problem is in the post. They have […]

The Money House Case Study (Birmingham)

MyBnk are a UK charity that delivers expert-led financial education programmes for 5-25 year olds with schools and youth organisations in various locations across the UK including the West Midlands.  The transition into independent living can be an exciting but also daunting step. Young people go from having little to a lot of financial responsibilities […]

Stop Loan Sharks Week 2024

Have you ever heard of loan sharks or illegal money lending?  Being a victim of illegal money lending, such as borrowing from loan sharks, can put you at risk of homelessness.  When people struggle to repay the high interest rates and fees charged by loan sharks, they may find themselves trapped in a cycle of […]

St Basils Pop Up Shop Launches in Birmingham

Last month on 22 April 2024, the charity St Basils, which helps young people between 16 – 25 who are experiencing homelessness, opened its first-ever pop-up vintage shop in the Great Western Arcade, Birmingham, all thanks to a big donation from the Arcade itself. They are selling some cool vintage clothes, sports gear, and trainers. […]

200 Years On – the Vagrancy Act and the Criminal Justice Bill

On Tuesday 12 March the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Ending Homelessness (APPGEH) held a meeting in Parliament to discuss the impact of the current draft of the government’s proposed Criminal Justice Bill.  At the meeting, chaired by MPs, Bob Blackman and Paula Barker, were a panel of experts including people from local authorities and people […]

Exercise your right to vote in the West Midlands.

On 2 May 2024, people across the West Midlands are being invited to vote in the polls to elect A Mayor for the West Midlands Combined Authority A Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands  Councillors within local authority areas of, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton.  (In Selly Oak and Bournbrook in […]

The Spearhead Trust – Foodbank Intiative

In Druids Heath, Birmingham, residents face several social issues that impact their quality of life and community well-being.  Economically, the area is challenged by higher-than-average unemployment rates, contributing to financial insecurity among its inhabitants. Housing concerns are also prominent, with some of the local housing stock in need of significant repairs and renovation, raising fears […]

Fairer Futures funds end of life training

Talking about end-of-life care with someone experiencing homelessness is important for several reasons.  Firstly, like anyone else, individuals experiencing homelessness have the right to make informed decisions about their end-of-life care, yet they might not have easy access to the information or support needed to make these decisions. By discussing end-of-life care, we ensure their […]