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Director's Reflections | London Rough Sleeping Charter

Director's Reflections | London Rough Sleeping Charter

Director's Reflections | London Rough Sleeping Charter

Friday, December 8, 2023

The new London Charter to End Rough Sleeping sets out a bold ambition for people who don't have a home or might lose their home in the city.  At its heart is a list of promises and actions that the London Mayor, councils, charities, and others will do to stop and prevent people from sleeping on the streets.  Everyone is being asked to add their name to the Charter. 

To summarise in The Charter’s own words:

"The Charter is a way to get people together around a common goal—to end rough sleeping. The Charter will help us to:

  • Create a shared vision and enable people and communities to support our goal
  • Make a public commitment to work together to end rough sleeping
  • Strengthen the partnerships that are already in place
  • Provide opportunities for residents, businesses, workers, faith groups, charities and public bodies in London to help end rough sleeping
  • Communicate what rough sleeping looks like in London and how to best help
  • Provide transparency, accountability, and a way to monitor progress"

Tim's Two Key Takeaways

Last week’s launch at St. John’s Church, which is located near Waterloo station and the site once known as Cardboard City, where 200 people used to sleep regularly in the pedestrian underpass, felt like a significant moment.  It was a clear call to action but also a reminder of the terrible impact homelessness has on the lives of too many people.

  • Many hands make light(er) work. It was striking that, gathered together in one place, were so many crucial people who, together, could make a real difference. Homelessness is a challenging and complex issue. What’s refreshing about this new Charter is that it acknowledges that solving homelessness needs a joint and cooperative approach; no single organisation can do it alone. But by gathering all these representatives in one space, I was reminded of how many contributors to a solution could slot together to tackle a complex and mounting crisis, rather than competing for the same ground. But working together, we know, isn’t easy.  I’ve seen the obstacles of trying to ‘do’ partnership work.  Things like competing priorities, confusing messaging and vying as to who takes the lead.  This launch felt different.  It was clear that everyone agreed that collaboration, sharing experience, and being louder and stronger together is essential.  No one said it was going to be easy but there was a fresh energy and determination.
  • Actions speak louder. As Director of the St Martin-in-the-Fields Charity I signed the Charter at the launch event.  Signing is the easy part.  Bringing about real change is more challenging. To bring about real change, it is essential to put aside individual interests, egos, and take meaningful action.  Being accountable for the outcomes is crucial. The London Charter to End Rough Sleeping feels like a springboard for real action. At St Martin-in-the-Fields Charity, we support and champion people and organisations that are effective.  It’s why we signed the Charter. By signing the London Charter to End Rough Sleeping we have become part of the solution to homelessness in the city. The Charter is a statement of our shared vision that everyone deserves a home, and that rough sleeping is unacceptable.

Sign the Charter Today - Why Wouldn't You?

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