Leading homelessness charity St Mungo’s joined other influential figures from the homelessness and housing sectors at the Homes for Cathy’s national conference.
St Mungo’s interim Chief Executive Rebecca Sycamore was asked to take part in one of the main panel discussions at the conference. She was joined by South Yorkshire Housing Association and BCHA.
The panel discussed a range of topics including supported housing and move on support and took questions from the in-person delegates.
Ms Sycamore detailed St Mungo’s approach highlighting its focus on providing reflective practise and offering psychological support in an innovative way in an informed environment.
Speaking after the event, which was held on World Homeless Day (10 October 2022), she said: “It was great to back at an in-person event and have the chance to take part in such an engaging and informative panel event, and to be able to share our learning and approach to supported housing.
“Within the sector we have so much experience, skill and good practice and it nice to come together to listen to and learn from each other. We are grateful to Homes for Cathy for organising the event and for inviting St Mungo’s to take part.”
Other key guests included the Chair of the Kerslake Commission on Homlessness and Rough Sleeping Lord Bob Kerslake.
He provided the keynote speech during which he detailed The Commission’s latest report and its updated recommendations focused on the current cost of living crisis, saying:
“There has been lots of progress on the rough sleeping strategy but we have to be realistic that everything being done risks being overwhelmed by the current crisis.
Other presenters on the day included Crisis, the National Housing Federation, Hightown Housing Association and local councils.
Homes for Cathy is a national group of housing associations, charities, and local authorities working together to end homelessness.
