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Impact | Frontline Worker voices affecting political change in NI

Impact | Frontline Worker voices affecting political change in NI

Impact | Frontline Worker voices affecting political change in NI

Friday, January 26, 2024

Late last year, Homeless Connect, our Northern Ireland Frontline Network partner, was approached by Kellie Armstrong MLA to arrange a meeting with frontline staff in the homelessness sector. Ms Armstrong is the Vice-Chair of the All-Party Group on Homelessness and serves as housing and homelessness spokesperson for the Alliance Party.

This meeting took place in Belfast in December. Homeless Connect asked Ms Armstrong for what she took away from engaging directly with frontline staff. In her own words, Ms Armstrong expressed that:

“In the run up to Homelessness Awareness week, Homeless Connect, the NI Frontline Network Partner, facilitated meetings firstly with front line workers and then with people with lived experience of homelessness. 

My hope was I would learn more about the realities of the local homeless situation and to give staff the opportunity to be heard. 

As a politician it is rare that I have unfettered access to staff and volunteers who provide support for people who are in housing crisis. The benefit of a ‘Chatham House Rules’ discussion laid bare the reality faced by staff about the work they deliver, the stress they face, the difficulties caused by a lack of investment. The meeting took a refreshing twist as it also enabled staff to share their enthusiasm and absolute dedication to their job that they clearly loved doing. Staff also started to talk about the solutions they felt would help them in their role and to better the lives of the folk they support. 

I am absolutely indebted to all who spoke with me. Their frank but honest contribution has improved my understanding of how important their role is for people who are in housing crisis, for whatever reason. This was supported by the revelations from the group of people with lived experience of homelessness who spoke about the care, compassion and how dependable the Frontline Network are, compared to statutory contacts. 

I believe this type of non-political, fact-finding meeting is vital as it informs policy makers and legislators in a meaningful way. I know frontline staff are not simply ‘staff’, they are the compassionate backbone delivering life changing/saving support for people at a time when they just need help. 

I hope the front line workers I met felt listened to. I certainly heard a lot of information that will help me create policy and legislation from fact based evidence. I hope they will allow me to consult with them again before and during any future laws are progressed.”

Homeless Connect is grateful to all of the frontline staff and people with lived experience who gave up their time to meet with Kellie. It is an example of how the Frontline Network can serve as a platform to engaging with leading politicians to seek constructive change.

You can sign up to the Northern Ireland Frontline Network e-news HERE, to hear about future networking meetings, training events or consultation opportunities they are running. Homeless Connect's e-news is also a great way to be kept up to date about their work to support frontline staff in NI.

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