[Skip to Content]
How the Pan London Umbrella Support (PLUS) Project can support you

How the Pan London Umbrella Support (PLUS) Project can support you

How the Pan London Umbrella Support (PLUS) Project can support you

Thursday, March 12, 2020

Jane Bancroft of Homeless Link recently spoke with the Frontline Network about how the Pan London Umbrella Support (PLUS) Project can support you on the frontline:

Working on the frontline in homelessness services, such as street outreach, hostel or supported accommodation and day centres can be challenging, varied and rewarding.

Frontline staff provide invaluable support to people in increasingly challenging times. For example, supporting those with complex needs, policy or legislation changes and funding cuts.

The introduction of the Homelessness Reduction Act in April 2017 and the continuing roll out of Universal Credit have brought about significant changes for those advising homeless people, from both the statutory and voluntary sector.

In order to respond to the diverse needs of people who are homeless, specific skills, expertise and knowledge need to be developed across many specialist areas, including health, mental health, trauma, abuse, substance use, debt, welfare benefits and homelessness law.

However, not all organisations working with homeless people will have the resources or the capacity to support frontline staff, volunteers or peer mentors to increase their knowledge, skills and networking opportunities. This is where the PLUS Project can support you.

What is the PLUS Project?

The PLUS Project is a partnership between Shelter and Homeless Link. Funded by London Councils currently until March 2021, we support London-based homelessness and equalities-led organisations working with people who are sleeping rough, homeless, or in housing need, through a programme of training and events and a monthly email bulletin. Our work has a strong partnership, cross-sector working and equalities focus.

We are a small team made up of two staff from Homeless Link – myself and Vicky Album (who recently took over from Julie Cook) – and Harinder Birring and Pia Codina from Shelter. 

                       

Vicky Album                                                    Jane Bancroft

There is no charge to attend any of our events and training, thanks to the funding received from London Councils. We promote our events and training through our monthly bulletins, our Project Twitter account @LondonPlus_HL and on the PLUS Project webpage.

Resources from past events can be found on the Project’s Presentations and Resources webpage.


How can the PLUS Project develop your skills and knowledge?

Each year we run 6 training courses, 4 policy forums and 4 themed good practice events to:

  • Provide an update on homelessness and welfare policy and legislation changes. We have run forums themed on Universal Credit, the Homelessness Reduction Act and the abolition of the Vagrancy Act. Frontline staff knowledge has helped Homeless Link’s policy team to feedback to Central Government consultations and meetings.
  • Promote innovative ways to work with homeless people and rough sleepers. For example, working with clients in a trauma-informed and strengths-based way.

  • Improve service delivery for equalities clients, for example women with complex support needs, those identifying as trans and older people.

  • Increase networking opportunities with others working in London’s Homelessness sector, as well as other sectors including women, domestic abuse, alcohol/drug, health, LGBTQI+, migrant and BAMER homelessness.

  • Improve your awareness of homelessness/rough sleeping trends in London.

 

From April 2017 to date, the PLUS Project has also provided free support to 9 Outer London Boroughs to bring the Voluntary and Community Sector and the Local Authority together to develop effective ways to reduce rough sleeping in their borough. For example, we have run strategy consultations, partnership events, customer journey mapping sessions and we have established 3 London Homelessness Fora.

If you would like to be added to the PLUS mailing list, please sign up.

For further information about the PLUS Project, or ideas for training course and event topics, please contact the PLUS Project, either by emailing London.Plus@homelesslink.org.uk or calling 020 7840 4460.

News and Views

collapse/expand
  • Brain Injury Guidance

    Brain Injury Guidance

    Leigh Andrews of Change Communication offered specialist advice on brain injuries and homelessness through a digital...
  • End Furniture Poverty Survey

    End Furniture Poverty Survey

    End Furniture Poverty have recently spoken with the Frontline Network to discuss their important ongoing survey, seek...
  • Cover the Cost Campaign

    Cover the Cost Campaign

    Jasmine Basran, Senior Policy Officer at Crisis, talks to us about the Cover the Cost Campaign, asking the Government...
  • VRF Impact Report 2018/19

    VRF Impact Report 2018/19

    Over the past year we have given out 3827 grants totaling £1,156,805 through the VRF. Read the latest Impact Report t...
  • Influence from the Frontline

    Influence from the Frontline

    Frontline workers are crucial at giving insight into the viewpoints of the people they work with as well as the chall...
  • The Vagrancy Act

    The Vagrancy Act

    Crisis, along with others including Homeless Link, Cymorth Cymru, Centrepoint, St Mungo’s, Shelter Cymru and the Wall...
  • Influencing local decisions

    Influencing local decisions

    Zoe, Frontline Network Coordinator at Coventry Citizens Advice, talks to us about the Coventry Frontline Network and...
  • The Litigant in Person Network

    The Litigant in Person Network

    Martha de la Roche, Network Development Manager at Litigant in Person Network (LiP Network), tells us about The LiP N...
  • VRF Impact Report

    VRF Impact Report

    Find out what impact VRF had last year and how to get involved in shaping its direction in the coming year.
  • Housing First Scotland

    Housing First Scotland

    Please see here for the first issue of Housing First Connect - a twice-yearly newsletter for Scotland’s new Housing F...
  • Slaying the Dragon

    Slaying the Dragon

    Will Golding, Edinburgh Tutor at Crisis, talks to us about 'Slaying the Dragon'.
  • CPAG - Early Warning System

    CPAG - Early Warning System

    Dan Norris, from CPAG, talks to us about a new Early Warning System to record the impact of benefit changes implement...
  • The Hostile Environment

    The Hostile Environment

    Bethan Lant, a Project lead from Praxis, writes about the creation of a hostile environment for migrants and refugees.
  • Wrexham’s Crisis Cafe

    Wrexham’s Crisis Cafe

    Sinead Kelleher writes about Wrexham's Crisis Cafe, a multi-agency response to Universal Credit.
  • Frontline Worker Survey

    Frontline Worker Survey

    We are asking frontline workers to participate in a survey, aimed at those working with clients who are experiencing...
  • A map through conflict

    A map through conflict

    A Cyrenians Mediator writes about their innovative Amber Mediation and Support Project, a model of mediation and supp...
  • “A place to call home"

    “A place to call home"

    Hannah Gousy was seconded from Crisis to the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) to help design policy recommendations to...
  • A London Nightshelter

    A London Nightshelter

    On 7 November we opened our church-based shelters for the winter with more churches signed on then ever before. Glass...
  • 'Step Up' at The Connection

    'Step Up' at The Connection

    Wyn Newman introduces the volunteer programme 'Step Up' that has been developed at The Connection for service users.