Peer educator educates conference on homelessness

5 February 2008

St Christopher’s homeless intervention officer Harry Wilkinson and peer educator Keisha McEwen spoke about the homeless intervention project at the National Homelessness Conference in central London last week. 

This conference was an important event for all professionals involved in the fight against homelessness. Many came from across the UK to share their ideas and learn from colleagues about the best approaches to tackling the causes and effects of homelessness, and how to deliver services in partnership to those who need them most.

St Christopher’s homeless intervention project was invited to speak at the conference as a result of the innovative nature of the work they are doing in Greenwich and Southwark. They wanted to take along one of the peer educators, as Harry explained:

‘It’s really their project, and although we can give statistics and information, they know more about the impact it’s having and the challenges of presenting to these groups. Keisha agreed to come along, and did an absolutely fantastic job.’

Keisha impressed all those present with her thoughtful discussion of her experiences of peer education, what she herself has got out of it, and why she thinks it is important. She also dealt confidently and competently with questions from the floor covering areas such as monitoring, child protection and training.

Harry spoke to the conference on establishing a successful partnership between schools, youth services and local authorities. His talk focused on the background and rationale of the project, the model the St Christopher’s team has developed, training, and results. They then showed the homeless intervention project 180 degree appeal video.           

The presentation was extremely well received, generating a great deal of interest and discussion among the 100+ attendees, including central government advisers and senior representatives of local authorities and third sector organisations and from across the UK and the Isle of Man.