Wolverhampton City Council and its partners are marking World Homeless Day on Saturday, 10 October, with events and awareness activities, alongside information about year-round support services for people experiencing homelessness.
Faith and Community Forum
On Thursday, 8 October, the West Midlands Combined Authority will partner with the council and the Good Shepherd to bring faith and community groups together. The event will discuss how to best support those affected by poverty and homelessness in Wolverhampton.
The forum will also focus on addiction recovery, with presentations from SUIT and Recovery Near You. It takes place at the Good Shepherd from 10am to 11.30am.
Good Shepherd Open Day
On Saturday, the Good Shepherd will host a free open day at 65 Waterloo Road, Wolverhampton, WV1 4QU. Visitors will be able to learn more about homelessness in the city, discover the range of services delivered by Good Shepherd, and meet staff and volunteers. The event will include guided tours of the facilities and information on how to get involved through volunteering, fundraising, partnerships and donations.
Ongoing Support Services
P3's Homeless Service provides ongoing support for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of losing their home. The service has recently moved to a new base at 4 Waterloo Road, WV1 4BL. It offers outreach, a Street Outreach Team, Housing First, tenancy sustainment support, supported accommodation and other housing services tailored to different levels of need.
Mental Health and Homelessness
Saturday also marks World Mental Health Day. Homelessness and mental health issues are often linked — mental health problems can make it difficult to secure or maintain accommodation without support, while housing and financial insecurity can worsen mental health problems.
Councillor Steve Evans, City of Wolverhampton Council's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Housing and Assets, said: "World Homeless Day is a chance to reflect on the challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness and to highlight the help available to support them towards a more stable future. There is rarely a single cause of homelessness, and addressing it effectively depends on strong collaboration between local services, charities and community partners."
How to Help
Alternative Giving gathers donations online and through cash donation points and tap-to-donate points in Wolverhampton city centre. All donations are directed to organisations and charities working in the city centre to provide long-term support for people experiencing homelessness.