Engaging Homeless People in the Solutions to Homelessness

The 'Never About Us Without Us Forum' was held in Sydney on Monday, August 3, 2009, the first day of Homeless Person's Week. Speakers and participants at the forum discussed ways that Homeless People could be more involved in decisions about service delivery and the solutions to homelessness in Australia. The event was presented by Homelessness NSW and the Homeless Person's Legal Service.

Service providers and homeless people met at the St Vincent De Paul Ozanam Learning Centre adjacent to the Matthew Talbot Hostel to hear speakers from Homelessness NSW, Homeless Person's Legal Service (HPLS) and Street Care which is a newly formed homeless consumer group.

The speakers shared their stories and opinions about the importance of connecting with service users to ensure that the services provided and the decisions made about the homelessness system in Australia are relevant to the needs and circumstances of homeless people.

The forum sought to generate some discussion about the need for greater consumer consultation and for greater credibility to be given to groups like Street Care.

Listen to the forum This audio runs for approximately one hour and is a large file. Right click this link and select 'Save As' to download this audio.

For more information about Street Care - email streetcare@piac.asn.au

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