In the face of London’s worsening homelessness crisis, Homeless Link, the GLA, London Councils, and other partners are holding London’s biggest-ever career fair for homelessness and rough sleeping services.
London’s Life Off the Street Initiative is a citywide collaborative strategy committed to the goal of making rough sleeping in the city rare, brief, and non-recurrent. It works to achieve this aim through collaboration between homelessness charities, local and national government, health services and other key partners.
Yet, the progress towards this goal is under threat on a number of fronts. In the midst of the cost-of-living crisis, rough sleeping in London has started to increase. What’s more, organisations which support people who are experiencing homelessness are struggling to fill job vacancies. Whilst these vital services, such as street outreach teams and hostels, are more needed than ever, many are impacted by vacant posts in their staff teams.
This is vital work for the country, particularly London, and a career in the homelessness and rough sleeping sector can be very fulfilling as well. A recent Homeless Link workforce survey, conducted with 1,300 homelessness workers in May through June this year, showed that 89% of respondents agree it is rewarding to work in the sector and 85% state that the ability to make a positive difference to someone’s life is one of the main benefits of working in the sector.
To enhance recruitment for important frontline roles in the homelessness and rough sleeping sector, Homeless Link, Greater London Authority, London Councils, Bloomberg Associates held a career fair last autumn to help seventeen homelessness and rough sleeping sector service providers fill job vacancies. Encouraged by positive feedback from the first event, this summer the same organisations are holding an expanded version of the career fair, this time with the additional support and expert guidance of the Department for Work and Pensions. There will be up to forty organisations looking to hire staff as soon as possible for front roles in homelessness services.
What: London Careers Fair to work in the homelessness sector
Where: BOXPARK WEMBLEY, Wembley Park, HA9 0JT
When: Between 10.00am -3.00pm on Monday, July 10th, 2023
For Londoners, who are seeking a new career or exploring a career change, Register Now and attend this career fair. Job seekers can make a positive difference for others who are facing big challenges in their lives. Attendees can learn more about a career in the homelessness and rough sleeping sector, meet several employers seeking to fill vacancies and learn about the specific opportunities on offer. The career fair is open to the public, but pre-registration is strongly encouraged.
The Deputy Mayor for Housing and Residential Development, Tom Copley, said: “The Mayor and I are committed to doing everything in our power to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping in the capital. However, it cannot be ignored that the city faces real challenges with the cost-of-living crisis sadly putting more and more Londoners at risk of losing their homes or ending up on our streets.
“The work of homelessness and rough sleeping providers is more important than ever. Londoners can join us at the upcoming London Career Fair to learn more about the opportunities and rewarding benefits this sector has to offer.”
Cllr Darren Rodwell, London Councils’ Executive Member for Regeneration, Housing & Planning, said: “Homelessness is among the biggest challenges society faces. It’s a hugely important and rewarding sector to work in, making a crucial difference in the lives of extremely vulnerable people.
“Boroughs are determined to help end rough sleeping in London for good. We know this mission requires dynamic services where staff possess excellent skillsets, compassion, and commitment to making our goal a reality. Anyone interested in playing a part should come to the Career Fair to find out more about the opportunities available across the capital.”
Pete Smith, Director at Homeless Link, the membership body for frontline homelessness services, said:
“Our members provide life changing support for people experiencing homelessness across the capital, but we know that these vital services are currently under threat as organisations struggle to recruit staff at the same time as rough sleeping is increasing. However, people working in the sector have overwhelmingly told us that they find their job incredibly rewarding, and we hope that more people will consider getting involved in this important work.”
