LIF COMMUNITY MEETING SEPT 10th 2013 @ LSE
AGENDA
Introduction and Background/Aim of the event
What is the Council’s position
What are the facts about homelessness and rough sleeping in this locality
What are the alternatives to soup runs?
Update from Faith Group Coordinator
Update from Streetsafe and Fact sheet
Questions and concerns from the LIF local Community
Response from providers
Open session Qs from the floor
What are the next steps
ACTIONS AND NEXT STEPS
Providers urged to coordinate activities more effectively via the Housing Justice Soup Run Forum, including developing a rota which helps to target efforts more effectively, reduces duplication and creates a cleaner and safer environment.
info@housingjustice.org.uk
All providers to adhere to the Soup Run Forum voluntary code of conduct and promote its use wherever possible among providers.
All providers to consider if they have access to a building facility within their local area in order to distribute food and holistic support in a safe, dignified and effective manner. Supporting a local homeless project is another useful measure; the Faith Based Groups Coordination Project can help with this. All providers to consider other measures which encourage and support LIF users in accessing appropriate help in their local area. http://www.homelesslondon.org is a useful resource.
All providers urged to reflect on the increased risk to service users which is generated by large groups congregating at LIF. Reports have been received of drug dealing and of adult safeguarding issues. All crimes should be reported on 999.
Streetsafe to produce information leaflet for soup run attendees. This will include information on where to go if you are homeless in Camden.
In addition it will contain information on existing provision including where to access food banks in local areas. LSE have agreed to trial being a point of contact for the information.
All to consider measures to engage “hit and run” providers in order that they attend the Soup Run Forum and sign up to the code of conduct. Soup run providers also asked to report any environmental issues or anti social behaviour to the Council on 0207 974 4444 and the Safer Streets Team on 0207 833 7970. Any information as to the identity or contact details of providers operating outside of the Forum code of conduct should be sent to guy.arnold@camden.gov.uk and rose.hickman@passage.org.uk
Providers urged to remove all waste in the immediate vicinity of their soup run and take it away with them, once their activities have ceased for the evening.
Camden Council to consider installing additional bin capacity at LIF.
All providers urged to assist the successful “No second night out” project by displaying NSNO poster in their respective churches or facilities. All providers urged to look at alternative ways that volunteers can contribute to tackling homelessness, including taking up volunteering opportunities at No second night out and with other organisations which are active in the sector such as Housing Justice and CRI.
All to consider a follow up meeting at LSE in 3 months time (Dec/Jan)
Ideas on how the impact of the LIF activity on the community can be reduced or the activity rationalised and made more effective are welcomed and these can be tabled at the next meeting. Please send these to:
Guy.arnold@camden.gov.uk (Camden Council – Community Presence Manager)
Jane.harbord@camden.gov.uk (Camden Council – Street Population Services Co-ordinator)
Saul.freeman@cri.org.uk (Camden’s StreetSafe)
Rose.hickman@passage.org.uk (Faith Based Groups Coordination Project at The Passage)
Friends of Lincoln's Inn Fields 