1. National Christian organisation: Christian voice on housing and homelessness Helping churches help homeless people Raising awareness of issues & solutions Encouraging partnership & speaking up for church action Birmingham Development Worker Campaign work Membership organisation – please join us!

2. Homelessness - The role of mentoring and befriending 18.06.2015

3. What does ‘homelessness’ mean?

4. What causes homelessness?

6. Welfare Reform Act 2012: The five main points 1.Under occupancy penalty 2.Universal Credit 3.Council Tax amendments 4.Benefits caps 5.Personal Independent Payments (PIP)

7. What’s the picture where you live and/or work?

8. What’s the effect in human terms?

9. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NIV) Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labour: if either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls down and has no one to help them up. Homelessness - The role of mentoring and befriending 18.07.2015

10. Listening exercise

11. James 1:19-20 (NIV) My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Homelessness - The role of mentoring and befriending 18.06.2015

12. What can be done? Support your local services…

14. We’re here to help...

15. Discussion questions What have you learned today? Does this reflect your personal experience? Your neighbourhood? What actions would be appropriate in your area? Please share! What are you going to do now?

16. Contact details Tommy Cloherty Mentoring and Befriending Project Co-ordinator Housing Justice E: mandb@housingjustice.org.uk T: 07827947016 @HJMentoring www.housingjustice.org.uk And on Facebook too…