Communities of Practice

What are Communities of Practice?

A community of practice brings together those with common interests and goals to collaboratively find solutions to the issues faced by frontline staff when supporting those experiencing homelessness.

Homeless Link currently coordinate 11 Communities of Practice across England focused on particular geographies, client groups and areas of work.

How do they work?

Communities of Practice meet every 2-3 months and address specific topics such as working with complex needs, psychologically informed environments or changes to the benefits system.

Speakers with particular experience often share their perspective, with plenty of time for all participants to ask questions and find collective solutions. By giving frontline workers the space to pool their ideas and draw on each other’s strengths, Communities of Practice help services to better support people experiencing homelessness and improve the homelessness sector more widely.

Join

Homeless Link Communities of Practice are focused on frontline workers in the homelessness sector, but anyone with an interest is welcome. This includes those working in overlapping sectors such as mental health, substance misuse or criminal justice, as well as volunteers and experts by experience.

We currently have 11 Communities of Practice

North East: BeTheChange Frontline Network

Cumbria: BeTheChange Frontline Network

Yorkshire & Humber

Greater Manchester: Migrant Destitution

Liverpool City Region

Wolverhampton & Walsall: Women

Birmingham: Welfare Rights

Suffolk

Cornwall

London: Hostels

London: Day Centres

London: Outreach

To put your name on the mailing list, or for more information, please email the Partnership Manager in your area.