Homelessness: Role of Business

Paul runs local campaign, A Right to Shelter. Paul has experienced street homelessness and is campaigning for less fragmented day services for those experiencing homelessness, poverty and isolation. In 2019, Paul’s petition for a day centre received over 3,600 signatures and led to a full council debate and agreement to fund more day services at the weekend. Paul’s research exposes the high level of need in Bristol, and why co-located, unified day services are needed now, more than ever.

Bristol Hospitality Network is a charity that has supported destitute asylum seekers with accommodation, claims advice and community since 2010. Lizzie has worked in the charity sector since 2008, focusing primarily on fundraising and strategy. She has worked for a variety of causes, including brain injury, maternal health, homelessness and dance. Most recently, she was CEO of Changing Tunes, a prison music charity. Lizzie also works part-time as a consultant, providing fundraising, strategy and development work for small-medium charities.

Jon leads the Planning & Infrastructure team with work involving housing led regeneration. He also heads up Responsible Business in the Bristol office with their activity focused on 3Es – education, employability and entrepreneurship as well as tackling the barriers such as homelessness and food poverty. He champions social inclusion and the firm has introduced solicitor apprentices jointly with Bristol City Council building on the successful apprenticeship programme within the firm.

Jessica has worked for Emmaus Bristol since 2016, in that time working with the team to increase the number of formerly homeless people supported, and to increase the range of accommodation provided. She has a background in environmental sustainability having worked for Bioregional Development group and in the sustainability team at Islington Council. Jessica ran a city farm for four years, developing trading activities that helped to secure its future. The Emmaus Bristol community has asked for secure, affordable housing to be provided, with Emmaus as a landlord, so that people can move on from supported housing in a safe way. Jessica is working with the Emmaus Bristol community, Agile and other local partners to make this happen.

Head of Services in Bristol region for St Mungo’s, the UK’s largest homelessness and rough sleeping charity, which provides shelter or housing and support for over 3,150 people each night across all regions. Each year we work with over 10,000 people who sleep rough. David has 18 years of experience in homelessness and support sector. He is chairperson of Bristol Supported Housing Forum and a Board member of Bristol Homes and Communities Board.

I’m in a very privileged position at Nationwide as I help invest the 1% of pre-tax profit that’s put aside to help local communities. My role involves looking after our strategic charity partnerships, including Shelter and St Mungo’s, and heading up our volunteering and fundraising programmes. I also manage our fantastic network of Social Investment Ambassadors and Champions – of which there’s about 300.