Housing Justice UNLEASH email bulletin May 2007

Hello and welcome to the May issue of the Housing Justice UNLEASH news bulletin.

About this bulletin + subscribe/unsubscribe info
This monthly bulletin aims to be a useful 5 minute read, with links to further info and resources for people concerned about housing and homelessness in London. It is prepared with churches, other faith groups, individuals working in housing or homelessness, and smaller projects providing help to homeless people in mind. If you have news, a need or an event you’d like to let others know about or if you have a comment or feedback on any item please let me know. Thanks.

Do forward to colleagues or friends who may be interested. If you receive a copy in this way and you would like your own each month let me know. Also if you want to unsubscribe anytime.
mailto:a.murray@housingjustice.org.uk
NB I will not 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

Strangers into Citizens Rally in Trafalgar Square on Bank Holiday Monday 7th May
Starter Packs Seminar
St. Martin-in-the-Fields Pilgrimage 25th to 28th May
Volunteers Training
Homeless Link Training
Andy Ludlow Homelessness Awards 2007
Down but not out: the needs of Strangers
London Churches Refugee Fund
Soup Run Forum 13th June + Shelter Soup Run Conference on 27th June
Join Housing Justice!

Strangers into Citizens Rally in Trafalgar Square on Bank Holiday Monday 7th May
Housing Justice supports the Citizens Organising Foundation in calling for a pathway into citizenship for undocumented migrants who have made new lives in the UK.
Strangers into Citizens is a campaign by the country’s largest alliance of civic institutions led by The Citizens Organising Foundation (COF).
We believe the case for an “earned amnesty” is compelling, on humanitarian, economic, fiscal and administrative grounds. COF is building an alliance of citizens calling on Government to implement a one-off “earned amnesty” law as part of its overhaul of the UK’s immigration policy.
Bank Holiday Monday 7th May National Day of Action and Celebration.
Events in London:
10am Multi-ethnic Mass for Migrant Workers at Westminster Cathedral celebrated by Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor.
11.30 Strangers into Citizens March to Trafalgar Square
12.30 Strangers into Citizens Rally in Trafalgar Square
5pm Choral Evensong at Westminster Abbey, with prayers of thanksgiving for the contribution of migrant workers.
Video and further info from www.strangersintocitizens.org.uk

Starter Packs Seminar
Starter Packs are essential household items like bedding, towels, kitchen items etc. for people starting up in a new home after experiencing homelessness.
Starter Pack Schemes around the UK make a real difference to people in this situation.
Housing Justice is working to expand the network of Starter Pack schemes in London, by encouraging partnerships between churches, local authorities, voluntary organisations and furniture recycling schemes.
Would your church or project be interested in helping a scheme get going in your borough?
This seminar, organised jointly by Housing Justice and the National Furniture Reuse Network will give you the knowledge you need to set up a Starter Pack Scheme and also help you to link up with other agencies to support your work.
Dates: Wednesday 23rd & Thursday 24th May 2007
Venue: Barns Conference & Study Centre Toddington, Gloucestershire GL54 5DQ
Fees for FRN or Housing Justice members: Residential £89 Non Residential £39
More details contact Housing Justice

St. Martin-in-the-Fields Pilgrimage 25th to 28th May
Roger Shaljean writes: The Pilgrimage to Canterbury is in its 17th year. It is a sponsored event designed to raise funds for the social care of homeless people through the Connection at St. Martin's and various agencies along the Pilgrims Way in Kent. It involves walking 18 miles a day for four days over the Spring Bank Holiday Weekend.
The Launch is from the steps of St. Martin's at 10.30am on Friday 25.5.07 and we get back to London by train at about 9.30pm on Monday 28.5.07. (The train fare back from Canterbury is covered by the registration fees paid by the Pilgrims) Some folk aren't able to do the whole thing and join us e.g. at Swanley on Saturday morning or on the last day near Wye 10miles from Canterbury.
However much people do walk we ask for an inclusive registration fee of £12 per day (£6 per day for Day Centre, ex-homeless and un-waged walkers) we also hope that everyone will raise some sponsorship however much or little. The event has a Christian dimension though pilgrims are welcome from any background.
Further information and registration forms from
The Pilgrimage Secretary, CSTM, 12, Adelaide Street, LONDON WC2N 4HW
Or phone 020 7766 5555.
You can also find more info, including photos from previous years and a registration form on www.smitf-pilgrimage.org.uk
Closing date for entries: 14th May 2007 Upper limit for number of walkers is 100.

Volunteers Training
Housing Justice UNLEASH runs a basic training day for volunteers working with people who are homeless. The training is organised in partnership with expert workers from organisations like St Mungo's, Equinox, Pilion Trust and the Mental Health training unit.
It is free to volunteers in organisations or churches that are Housing Justice members, or individual supporting members.
The day covers: Overview of homelessness, statutory responsibilities of local authority, role of the church and voluntary sector; Mental health awareness; Drugs and alcohol awareness; Basic conflict management.
The day will raise awareness and provide simple guidelines to help volunteers in their work.
Dates: Sat 21st April and Sat 2nd June
All training days from 10.00am-4.00pm
*NEW* Mental Health & Drug and Alcohol Awareness training
We are now offering a more in-depth training day for Volunteers on Mental Health awareness and Drugs and Alcohol awareness. This day will be offered first to people who have done the basic training day, or those who have at least 6 months experience of working with homeless people.
Mental Health - Sat 19th May
Drugs and Alcohol - Sat 16th June
To book please use attached booking form and email e.byrne@housingjustice.org.uk
Or phone 020 7723 7273 x.235 or x.242

Homeless Link Training
Homeless Link offers a comprehensive range of training courses for people working in homelessness, from introductory to advanced.
Prices start from just £70 per day.
You have to be a member of Homeless Link to benefit, but Housing Justice members can get a special membership rate of Homeless Link. Email me for details.
See www.homeless.org.uk/training/courses

Andy Ludlow Homelessness Awards 2007
The Andy Ludlow Homelessness Awards 2007 are now open to entries. These are the UK's leading homelessness awards now in their ninth year, and there is £25,000 to be won by organisations tackling homelessness and supporting homeless people in London.
Follow this link for more information about the Awards and how to enter:
www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/ludlow

Down but not out: the needs of Strangers
Churches’ Refugee Network Conference 2007 with Enabling Christians in Serving Refugees (ECSR)
Date: Saturday 19 May 11.00 am - 4.15 pm
Venue: Holy Apostles Church Hall, 47 Cumberland Street, London SW1V 4LY
Bring Own Lunch Soup and rolls available
Strangers into Citizens : A Path to Citizenship for the excluded - Austen Ivereigh
The Needs of Strangers: Global Citizens and the Nation State - Ethics and Asylum
The Health of Asylum Seekers: Statutory Provision for those in and out of detention
Reports from asylum projects, and national initiatives
Workshops *Grassroots and campaign news * Live Music * Worship
Further information from Wendy Cooper 020 7916 8632 or email wendy.cooper@urc.org.uk

London Churches Refugee Fund
This new fund to provide help to destitute asylum seekers has its official launch on Sunday 17th June at 6.30 pm. at Westminster Abbey
The fund will raise money to help destitute asylum seekers and will work primarily through church-based organisations responding directly to their needs.
This is from the Mission Statement: We commit ourselves to action and support aimed at
Activating the generosity and hospitality of churches, community groups, other organisations and individuals
Raising funds
Supporting initiatives that respond to the needs of refused asylum seekers, such as night shelters, food distribution, refugee projects
Lobbying for change
Encouraging responses to inaccurate media stereotypes.
Further info from Geoffrey Duncan 020 7799 5000
email geoffrey.duncan@urc10.org

London Soup Run Forum 13th June
Do you do a soup run? Are you homeless or formerly homeless? Do you have a point of view about soup runs? Then this forum is for you!
Guest Speakers to the next Forum: Sister Ellen Flynn of the Passage and Janet Haddington of Westminster Council.
Date: Wednesday 13th June at 6.00pm
Venue: St Vincent's Centre, Carlisle Place, London SW1P 1N L
To be included in minutes and other info relating to Soup Runs or the Soup Run Forum email me
a.murray@housingjustice.org.uk

Shelter Soup Run Conference on 27th June
Wednesday 27th June 2007, 11am – 4pm, Birmingham Central Library
Cost: Free to soup and breakfast runs (up to two places); £30 for subsequent places or for other agencies.
Lunch Provided.
Further details and application form email Samantha_Byrne@shelter.org.uk

Housing Justice UNLEASH Newsletter
If you find this info and news bulletin useful, we also produce a quarterly Housing Justice UNLEASH newsletter. The latest issue was sent out to Housing Justice members and supporters in London at Easter.
Download pdf here>>

best wishes,
Alastair Murray