Bournemouth University supporting homelessness initiatives across BCP
Bournemouth University (BU) is playing an active role in a pilot project run by the Royal Foundation to end homelessness in the UK.
Homewards is an initiative set up in June 2023 by Prince William and the Royal Foundation to end homelessness, making it rare, brief and unrepeated. The five-year programme has identified six flagship locations – including Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) to bring together partners in the region to solve issues related to homelessness.
The work in BCP is particularly focussed on young people, as well as reframing the narrative around homelessness in the UK, with working groups set to deliver recommendations on both issues. Members of BU staff including Vice-Chancellor Professor Alison Honour sit on these boards to work in partnership in driving this work forward. This work will also support BCP’s own homelessness initiatives and plans, informed by both partners and national best practice.
BU academics, led by Professor Mel Hughes, are working with Homewards, local school Bourne Academy and the charity Shelter on an evaluation project to look at the impact of interventions and education projects around homelessness delivered in local schools.
The reframing the narrative project looks to change perceptions and rhetoric around homelessness and raise awareness of different types of homelessness that may be experienced. The project brings partners together to understand the scale of the issue and make communication recommendations to support changing public attitude towards homelessness and the stories around it.
Ian Jones, Head of External Engagement at Bournemouth University, sits on the BCP Homewards Steering Group, and said, “As one of the largest organisations in BCP, we have a responsibility to support our region in any way we can. We are delighted to be partnering with Homewards and local organisations to put our own resources and expertise behind this important national initiative to end homelessness.”
