Home Truths 1991 - 2017 - Homelessness
Dr Lisa Cherry FRSA
Director, Trauma Informed Consultancy Services | Training | Speaking | Consultancy | Research |
So the amazing powers of technology have enabled a VHS recording of a panel that I sat on for Channel Four, facilitated by Jon Snow, to be transferred to a digital format. Ken Loach was on the panel too, a man for whom I have so much admiration as he has spent his career telling the stories that are so often left untold.
We were debating whether the Home Truths season had hit the spot and I was there as a fairly feisty 21 year old student who had experience of the care system and homelessness.
As I watched the film for the first time in decades, I was struck by my passion, confidence, commitment and frustration. Nothing has changed. And that of course, is the point. Nothing has changed. We could have the same debate right now and while I would be more polished and polite, I would be saying the same things.
The perm is long gone (thankfully) as are the earrings (sooooooo early 90's) but homelessness hasn't gone and nor has it's relationship to coming out of care.
For nearly 3 decades I've been striving for a better, more just society and a more sensible person might say why? If nothing changes, then why keep going? But I will carry on doing this until I die. That has not changed either. I'm not going anywhere. In fact, I'm not sure it would be possible as I believe that I will see change in my lifetime. I have to.
If you would like to see this short clip then please watch here and I would love your comments....
Independent Social Worker, Therapist , Trainer, Manager, Academic, Practice Educator, and Consultant
5 年Tremendous courage, composition and stregnth. I look forward to hearing you speak at the Birmingham conference in Sept I am an IRCT trustee well done Steph
Independent Social Worker, Therapist , Trainer, Manager, Academic, Practice Educator, and Consultant
5 年Thoughtful you should be so proud of your younger self
Trusts & Foundations Manager at RAF Benevolent Fund
7 年Things have changed in so e respects. People are more informed nowadays about sustaining a tenancy, the need to budget for the rent, and address debt and where to get advice and support. But none of that makes any difference if rents are sky high. There aren't enough properties in the right places, where people can find work or be near family or friends or live in the place that they grew up in. We need a law that makes it illegal for councils, housing association or private landlords to evict people in the winter, this is law in France. We need a lot more than this, but that would be a start.
Mediator, Trainer, Conflict Coach, PPC & Restorative Justice Facilitator. Partner at Solution Talk LLP, Fellow Member, College of Mediators and Registered CMC Mediator.
7 年One of the main contributing factors of homelessness is relationship breakdown. Mediation helps people have their say, develop understanding and work out what they need for a more positive relationship with family members. Even if It's not appropriate or the right thing for the individual to return home, effective communication can provide people with the family support network they need for a brighter future. Let's #talksolutions #mediation #brighterfuture