Housing Justice UNLEASH email bulletin July 2007

Hello and welcome to this bumper edition of the Housing Justice UNLEASH news update. Now is the time when plans for the Autumn are advancing so scroll down for diary dates and info about things happening in September as well as over the Summer.

About this bulletin + subscribe/unsubscribe
This monthly news and info bulletin aims to be a worthwhile 5 minute read, with links to further information and resources for people working in or concerned about housing and homelessness in London. It is prepared particularly with the following groups in mind: churches and other faith groups, individuals working in housing or homelessness agencies, people who are or have been homeless, and anyone with an interest in housing or homelessness and related issues.

It goes out to about 1200 people each month so if you have news, a need or an event you’d like to tell others about drop me a line. Also if you have a comment or feedback on any item.

If colleagues or friends might be interested please forward to them. If you received a copy in this way and you would like your own let me know. I generally add people to the mailing list as I go but if you would rather not receive this update just let me know anytime. Thanks
Call Alastair Murray 020 7723 7273 x.242
Email :a.murray@housingjustice.org.uk
Data protection: I will never share your email or personal details with other people or organisations without your permission, and this email is always sent blind copy to prevent spam and viruses.

Scroll Down for:

EVENTS
Housing Justice UNLEASH Open Space event "Action on homelessness: hand out or hand up?" Thursday 19th July
10 Feet Away International Festival 2007 26th - 29th July 2007
World Premier of Streetwise Opera's new production "Critical Mass" 21st and 22nd July
Homeless Link's Annual Conference "Journeys home: an end to rough sleeping" Birmingham 11th - 12th July
Forum Dates and News
TRAINING
Advanced Professional Certificate in Working with Homeless People new course starting in September
Homelessness Training Unit new dates
Housing Justice UNLEASH Volunteers Training new dates
CHRISTIAN/FAITH RESOURCES
Faithworks Awards closing date: Friday 27th July.
Micah Challenge 15th September
New NCVO report Faith and Voluntary Action
OTHER
3r Computer Recycling
Last Monday Club
and finally..

EVENTS

Housing Justice UNLEASH Open Space event "Action on homelessness: hand out or hand up?" Thursday 19th July
Date: Thursday July 19th 2007 9.00am-5.00pm
Venue: St Paul’s, Robert Adam St, London W1U 3HW
Nearest tube: Bond St/Baker St.
Context Voluntary church and faith groups are good at giving essential help like food and clothes to people who are homeless and on the margins. Is there a tension between meeting immediate needs and encouraging people toward independence? How best can we help people move on from homelessness? And who decides?
What do you think? Are you or have you been homeless? A volunteer or paid worker in a hostel, soup run, drop in centre, shelter, outreach service, health or advice project? Are you from a local authority, charity, self-help group, an activist, academic, concerned citizen, practicing an active faith or not?
Join in and share your point of view! Have you ever been to a conference with inspiring speakers, only to find the most interesting conversations take place during the breaks? Open Space Technology (see http://www.openspaceworld.org/cgi/wiki.cgi?AboutOpenSpace) takes advantage of this type of interaction. Participants’ own questions and interests will drive the event. By the end of the event every issue of concern to anybody will be raised, if they took responsibility for doing that.
This Open Space event will be facilitated by Groundswell UK http://www.groundswell.org.uk/
Suggested Voluntary Donation: £5 to HJ members/£10 to others/free to unwaged
Download further information and booking form here>>
More info or to book - Contact Ellen Byrne e.byrne@housingjustice.org.uk
020 7723 7273 x.235
See News Release>>

10 Feet Away International Festival 2007 26th - 29th July 2007
Ten Feet Away International is the participatory arts festival for homeless and ex-homeless people taking place at St. John’s Church Waterloo and St. John’s Sculpture Garden. Lots of info and blog on the website http://tenfeetaway.wordpress.com/134/
Stewards and First Aiders needed - can you help?
The organizers are seeking help with stewarding and they are really keen to get some FIRST AIDERS on site for the whole festival. You will be part of a well supported team, be well fed and have your expenses paid.
It is the first time that many of the people taking part have travelled abroad to present and celebrate their work. Ten feet away want to welcome these artists and organisations to London by providing a safe and welcoming environment. CAN YOU HELP?
PLEASE CALL TEN FEET AWAY, asking for Ade on 020 7278 2313 or email info@tenfeetaway.org

World Premier of Streetwise Opera's new production "Critical Mass" 21st and 22nd July
Tickets are now on sale for the world premiere of Critical Mass by Orlando Gough and Emma Bernard on 21 and 22 July at the Almeida Theatre, London.
Streetwise Opera website http://www.streetwiseopera.org/
For tickets please call Almeida Box Office on 0207 359 4404 or
click here>>

Homeless Link Annual Conference "Journeys home: an end to rough sleeping" Birmingham 11 & 12 July
See this month's London Link for details about this and other news
http://www.homeless.org.uk/inyourarea/london/link/200706/

Forum Dates and News
Soup Run Forum next meeting: Monday 17th September 6.30 pm
*New* London timetable and other information now on Homeless London http://www.homelesslondon.org/details.asp?id=QA1
See also On-Line Soup Run Forum>>

TRAINING
Advanced Professional Certificate in Working with Homeless People new course starting in September
This is a new course being piloted at YMCA George Williams College
Email me for further details or contact Mike Seal (Senior Lecturer) on 0207 540 4913 mike@seal1.freeserve.co.uk

Homelessness Training Unit new course dates
Specialist mental health and other training for people working in homelessness
http://www.homelesstraining.slam.nhs.uk/Courses/tabid/152/Default.aspx
*Free places*
There are also 2 free places on 'Assessing the needs of homeless people' on 11th July
More info or to book email:Alyne.Powell@slam.nhs.uk

Housing Justice UNLEASH Volunteers Training new dates
Each training workshop is a full day from 10.00-4.00pm. Places are free to volunteers in Housing Justice member organisations, or individual members
Saturday September 8th (Basic Training)
Saturday September 22nd (Drugs and Alcohol)
Thursday October 4th (Basic Training)
Saturday October 27th (Mental Health)
Saturday November 17th (Basic Training)
There will be further details in next month's bulletin, but for now please pass on these dates to others who may be interested, note them in your diary and/or email me or Ellen for further info -
e.byrne@housingjustice.org.uk

CHRISTIAN/FAITH RESOURCES
Faithworks Awards closing date: Friday 27th July.
The deadline is approaching for Christian community projects to apply for a share of the £20,000 prize fund in the 2007 Faithworks Awards. There are four grants each of £5000.
Now in its fifth year, the Faithworks Awards programme exists to celebrate the work and commitment of Christians across the UK who are effectively serving the needs of their local communities, and to inject vital funding into the development of these projects. The Awards will honour community projects making a positive difference to the lives of people locally, aspiring to professionalism and valuing all people. The Awards are sponsored by Spurgeons Network, Congregational, Oasis UK and the Faithworks Membership.
To find out more and apply online go to http://www.faithworks.info/awards
Also free trial of *NEW* Faithworks Magazine
A new quarterly that will inspire and equip Christians across the UK to engage effectively with their local communities, launched last month. Set to be a fresh, dynamic read, Faithworks magazine is packed with thought-provoking features and accessible advice from those with proven expertise in Christian community engagement. It shares best practice, relevant news, information on the latest resources and robust theology from informed and inspirational writers.
Sign up to receive issues 1 and 2 for FREE http://www.faithworks.info/magazine

Micah Challenge 15th September
Ever wonder what would happen if your church took ‘acting justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with God’ (Micah 6:8) seriously? Tearfund and Shaftesbury would like to invite you to join them in finding out.
As part of the Micah Challenge UK (www.micahchallenge.org.uk) they have developed a course for churches to use to help them discover how tackling poverty and pursuing justice, both locally and globally, are at the heart of Christian mission.
It is called "Just People: the Micah course"
There is a workshop in London on 15th September to equip you to run this course at your church. The day will be fun and interactive and we will take you through the material, how it works and answer any questions you have. You will also get to meet people from the previous courses that they have run.
St Mark’s, Battersea Rise, SW11 1EJ 10am-4pm
£10/person to be paid on the day (lunch included)
Contact Jill Clark at Shaftesbury on 0207 452 2018
Or email jclark@shaftesburysociety.org

New NCVO report Faith and Voluntary Action
This report is well worth tracking down. Available as a pdf to download or you can request a hard copy
http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/publications/publication.asp?id=5234

OTHER
3r Computer Recycling
Donate your old computers, or get in touch about your IT needs. They are keen to support the work of churches and organisations working in homelessness, and all profits go to Caring Hands, a Homeless Day Centre in Chatham, to expand on the work they do with the homeless and those with drug or alcohol addiction.
http://www.3rcomputer-kings.co.uk/

Last Monday Club
I have another "life" as half of a folk/blues duo and we run a regular music night on the last Monday each month at a venue near Kings Cross.
Details here: http://www.myspace.com/guitarfeverduo

and finally..
"I will always be on the side of those who have nothing and are not even allowed to enjoy the nothing they have in peace."
Quoted from Garcia Lorca - with thanks to Homeless Front UK http://squat.net/homelessfront/?q=home

best wishes,
Alastair Murray