Lisa Barker, CLG

Lisa is Deputy Director, Homelessness and Housing Management Programme Division within the Housing and Support Directorate of DCLG. The new Division brings together in one place, the delivery of a number of key housing policies and programmes: Choice Based Lettings, Housing Mobility and MoveUK, Overcrowding, Respect, Diversity and Community Cohesion. The Division is also responsible for delivering the Government’s targets and objectives on homelessness including the Hostels Capital Improvement Programme, sustaining the B & B and Rough Sleepers targets and ensuring local authorities are effectively delivering the action plans set out in their homelessness strategies to reduce temporary accommodation. Previously, Lisa was a Specialist Advisor within the Homelessness and Housing Support Directorate, seconded from Leicester City Council. Her role included working with Local Authorities to support the development and implementation of local homelessness strategies. At Leicester, Lisa was Head of Hostels and Housing Community Care Services. Responsible for the city’s Rough Sleeping Strategy from 1996, and subsequently the statutory homeless strategy.

Lisa began her career in homelessness in the early 1980s when she worked firstly as a volunteer in young people and women’s projects and later as a worker in direct access hostels.

Peter Chapman, Shekinah Mission

I was born in East London in 1941 and raised by my grandparents up until I was 15 and worked with them on market stalls and collecting scrap and rags (rag and bone man). I was given the chance to go to sea, deep sea fishing, which I did up until 1977. It was during this time I obtained my cooks ticket which has since proved a real blessing and I’ve worked in many a hotel, restaurant and nursing home.

It was while in Lowerstaff Night Shelter I was given the chance to work in the homelessness field and found that it was a job I believed in and enjoyed. I’ve worked in many dry houses, night shelters and treatment centres some where in the past I had been a user.

I was working in Plymouth Night Shelter when I met my wife and shortly afterwards in 1992 we opened the Shekinah Mission Day Centre starting with a donation of £50. The Shekinah Mission has grown in staff, we now have 42 workers, employed to work in six different projects, the Drop-in Centre, Night Shelter, Charity shop, Steady Work Project, Social Business and Streetvoice Radio.

In 2007 I received an O.B.E for the work I have achieved over the years, this was a humbling experience. I am very honoured.

I’ve been a member of Homeless Link/Alliance since its early days and I am a great believer in partnership working. I am also a member of Plymouth Rough Sleepers Forum. My dream is for regional forums for homelessness agencies. The needs of all people who are homeless may be the same but the services available are so different in all areas. We also need to pull our resources to help each other for the good of the people we serve.

Dominic Williamson, Homeless Link

Dominic is Homeless Link’s Director of Policy, practice and Campaigns. Previously he worked for the National Homeless Alliance running the resettlement team before moving overseas as an advocate for landless people in Central America. When back in England he briefly joined National Homeless Alliance/Homeless Link to bring together the Emergency Accommodation Companion before moving to Providence Row as manager of the Hackney Road Project.

Stephanie, Focus Futures

Stephanie is 17 years old and came to reside at Bushbury Lane Project, Focus Futures, in September 2006; Stephanie had never lived away from home before. Since residing in the Project, Stephanie has always been involved in motivating not only herself but other young people to become involved in all aspects of participation at both project and a strategic level. She has had an input into the decision making process regarding many issues.

When Stephanie came to the project she was working as an Administration Assistant, so was already displaying positive skills despite her Homelessness situation. Stephanie's confidence and eagerness to become involved with issues around her grew when she became involved in the Peer Quality Audit, her enthusiasm continued and she then became involved in the Design of a Youth WebSite, assisting in applying for Funding Bids, and completing a Presentation to our Board Of Directors at the highest level. Stephanie has recently moved out of Supported Accommodation and into her own Flat, she has made this her home of which she is very proud. Despite now living independently and successfully, Stephanie still remains involved with the work that Bushbury Lane and Focus Futures does; she has just been involved in presenting her views and real life issues that she has faced regarding her homelessness to a group of Dutch Visitors, a story that was both inspirational and motivating.

Marvin, Focus Futures

My name is Marvin, I am 18 years old and currently live at Lichfield House in my home town of Stafford.

I went into the care system in 1994 following family troubles and was therefore placed under the care of social services, now known as children and life long learning. I have lived in many foster homes and children’s centres and was unable to attend mainstream school due to behavioural problems. Instead I was placed in a school for children with Emotional and Behavioural difficulties. I was a dedicated pupil and they recognised my ability, this resulted in me going to college. I have since studied my GCSEs, an NVQ and a BTEC First Diploma in Health and Social Care. I will be starting the National Diploma in Care in September and hope to study Social Work at University level. So I can gain knowledge and understand the best options for children and young people.