23 August 2010
UPDATE: Read the ePolitix.com interview with Jenny Edwards, chief executive of Homeless Link, about our Homelessness is a health issue: Saving lives and saving money? joint event at the Conservative party conference.
St Mungo's will be highlighting the problems faced by homeless and vulnerable people around health, housing, work and poverty at this year's Labour and Conservative party conferences.
The charity, which provides accommodation for more than 1,500 homeless men and women in London and the south of England, as well as health and skills and employment services, will be raising particular concerns based on recent research.
Its Work Matters report this year highlighted the problems faced by homeless long term unemployed people. In 1983 86% of the charity's clients were in work. Today, only 4% are in employment, two thirds have been out of work for five years or more, and, more worryingly, around 15% have never worked at all.
The events will also trail a new report on progress made towards improving the health of homeless people over the last two years which will be published this autumn.
Charles Fraser, St Mungo's Chief Executive, said: "It is imperative that the voices of homeless and marginalised people are heard by MPs and policy makers. If the Big Society is going to see a shift in the way local, state and voluntary groups work together, homeless people must not be excluded, especially those in the worst situations who are sleeping rough, in terrible health and tackling drink and drug use. Using our peer research, based on our clients' experience of difficulties in finding work, accessing healthcare and housing, we can really demonstrate how to improve the lives of the most vulnerable members of society."
St Mungo's representatives will be taking part in the following events:
LABOUR PARTY CONFERENCE (26-30 SEPT, MANCHESTER)
Tuesday 28 September 8am -9.30am, Midland Hotel
Homelessness is a health issue: saving lives and saving money
Chair: David Orr, Chief Executive, National Housing Federation
Speakers
Mary Creagh MP, Shadow Minister for Health
Jenny Edwards, Chief Executive, Homeless Link
Peter Cockersell, Director of Health and Recovery, St Mungo's
Panellists will discuss the benefits of treating homelessness as a health issue, the positive elements of Inclusion Health and scrutinise the forthcoming changes to the Public Health service from the coalition government.
Wednesday 29 September, 1-2.30pm, Radisson Hotel
Poverty, social exclusion and cuts: how can Labour support the most vulnerable?
Chair: Allegra Stratton, political correspondent, The Guardian
Speakers
Karen Buck, MP for Westminster North
Baroness Smith of Basildon
Duncan Shrubsole, Head of Policy and Strategy, Crisis
Darren Bruce, Senior Project Worker and former service user, St Mungo's
Helen Longford, Policy and Communications Manager: UK Poverty Programme, Oxfam
A discussion highlighting the continuing difficulties that homeless people have in accessing health, work and housing services. With a change in leadership, how does Labour plan to reduce the gap between rich and poor, and support those who are most vulnerable?
CONSERVATIVE PARTY CONFERENCE (3-6 OCTOBER, BIRMINGHAM)
Sunday 3 October, 12.30-2pm, Hyatt Hotel
Homelessness is a health issue: saving lives and saving money
Chair: David Orr, Chief Executive, National Housing Federation
Speakers
Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP, Minister for Housing and Local Government
Jenny Edwards, Chief Executive, Homeless Link
Peter Cockersell, Director of Health and Recovery, St Mungo's
Panellists will discuss the social and financial benefits of treating homelessness as a health issue and the forthcoming changes to the Public Health service from the coalition government.
Monday 4 October, 12.30-2pm, The ICC
Can the Coalition Government end homelessness?
Chair: Max Wind Cowie, Head of the Progressive Conservatism Project at Demos
Speakers
Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP, Minister for Housing and Local Government
Richard Blakeway, Mayor's Head of Housing
Leslie Morphy, Chief Executive, Crisis
Mike McCall, Executive Director of Operations, St Mungo's
This debate aims to discuss the concrete policies which will bring about real change on the ground from the new cross governmental approach towards homelessness.
These events will be open to anyone attending the conferences. Seats are first come, first served. If it's not possible to attend, follow St Mungo's comments and feedback on Twitter and Facebook and show your support by becoming a St Mungo's ecampaigner at http://www.mungos.org/account/ecampaign
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