National recognition for Tamworth homelessness project. National charity Shelter has given a Tamworth Borough Council homelessness education programme its seal of approval. The Tamworth Homelessness Education Programme (THEP) is a Tamworth Borough Council initiative which works with Tamworth schools and other organisations to help prevent homelessness. And the project has now been recognised by Shelter – a leading national charity for homeless prevention – which helps millions of people struggling with bad housing or homelessness, while campaigning to prevent it in the first place. This recognition on Shelter’s website is a major boost to THEP as it means housing associations and other councils across the country will be aware of the project. It also means other organisations may use Tamworth’s THEP programme to help prevent homelessness. THEP recently produced a hard-hitting film to help tackle homelessness, which featured young people from across Tamworth. It aims to encourage children and young people to understand that homelessness can affect anyone and isn’t just about a person sleeping on the street. This is set to be used in schools from September. Filmed across the borough, the film features five short pieces looking at the different ways homelessness can happen. It uses a mixture of live footage and still pictures taken at Tamworth landmarks. Topics covered include domestic violence, flood, family breakdown, a rogue landlord and repossession. THEP also works with younger children and carries out work in prisons for people who are due for release. According to Shelter: “THEP is a key prevention tool used to prevent homelessness - particularly amongst young people. It is a specially designed series of resources which are delivered in schools, sixth form centres and in colleges. These look at the causes of homelessness and how it could be prevented. The sessions have been accredited by Staffordshire County Council for use as a resource which delivers against the PSHE curriculum.” Councillor Daniel Cook, Leader of Tamworth Borough Council, said: “It is a real boost to receive this national recognition from a charity as well-known and respected as Shelter. Homelessness can often be a hidden problem with people ‘sofa surfing’ at friend’s homes, or finding themselves without a permanent base due to breakdown in communications at home, or moving out without being fully prepared for it. “Projects such as this help to address these issues early on, meaning we can hopefully prevent people becoming homeless and also encouraging people to share the message and what help is available.” Anyone who would like more information on THEP is asked to contact Hazel Morgan at Tamworth Borough Council on [email protected] , by phone on 01827 709217 or by text on 07528 630047.
Posted on: Wed, 10 Sep 2014 18:55:24 +0000