Place based work Brent
01.03.2024
The Berkeley Foundation funded Crisis Skylight Brent to develop place-based work with the intention of increasing opportunities to end homelessness in Brent and to add to Crisis’ learning about how ending homelessness can be delivered locally.
Place-based work is ‘a long-term approach to identifying, understanding, and addressing social issues rooted in the experiences, expertise and relationships that exist within a recognised geographic area’ (see work from Renaisi on place-based change and approaches).
The place-based approach in Brent included the following activities:
- establishment of the Brent Homelessness Forum
- community of practice
- working groups
- task and finish groups
- research on homelessness and health
- homelessness awareness sessions
- development of Built for Zero
- opening of new Crisis Skylight Brent premises.
The report evaluates the place-based work in Brent and provides insight and learning in relation to strategic learning, systems change and individual change in the area.
- The evaluation makes the following recommendations for future place-based work in Brent and elsewhere:
- continue to build leadership capacity including key posts in both the public and voluntary sectors
- promote communication and engagement with the widest possible network of agencies
- maintain connections between local place-based work and national homelessness policy
- continue to be focused and realistic about what can be achieved through place-based work and the importance of continuously nurturing structures, partnerships and relationships.