Derby faith organisations hailed for their “extraordinary contribution” helping the city’s homeless at a flagship event led by award-winning Derventio Housing Trust
Award-winning social landlord Derventio Housing Trust has joined Derby Cathedral in leading the city’s first ‘Faith in Housing’ event aimed at helping more local rough sleepers into a safe, warm bed.
The event this Autumn was organised by local housing provider Derventio along with the Cathedral to help the city co-ordinate its response to Andy Burnham’s flagship policy on rough sleeping.
The Prime Minister announced on his first day in office that he wanted to end rough sleeping in the UK.
The Government has pledged £340million nationwide as the first phase of its programme tackling the issue. Derby’s Faith in Housing event was held to bring together organisations in the city which work with homeless people to discuss how to work together and effectively target the city’s proportion of the funding.
The discussion brought together faith communities and organisations from around the city including Derby City Mission, Derby Homes, the Derbyshire Jewish Community, YMCA Derbyshire, Jericho House and Faith Hope and Enterprise.
The room heard from Carl Tring-Wills, Head of Housing Options & Homelessness at Derby Homes, who provided a valuable update on the city’s forthcoming Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy which will be out for consultation soon. Carl said:
I came away from the Faith in Housing event feeling genuinely inspired. It was a powerful reminder of the difference that can be made when people come together with a shared commitment to supporting their neighbours and strengthening our communities.
Faith organisations across Derby make an extraordinary contribution to the city. Every day they provide practical help, friendship, compassion and hope to people facing housing difficulties, homelessness and poverty. Much of this work happens quietly and without recognition, but its impact on people’s lives is significant.
Tackling housing need is a collective responsibility. Events like this create space for honest conversations, new ideas and stronger partnerships, helping us work together to ensure that everyone in Derby has the opportunity to access a safe and secure home.
It was a privilege to be part of the event and to hear the passion, insight and commitment of so many people who care deeply about making Derby a better place for everyone.
Canon Michael Futers from Derby Cathedral also gave a thought-provoking presentation on the challenges of objecting to new housing proposals in an environment in which more affordable homes are needed to help tackle the causes of homelessness.
Eve Sacker, co-ordinator of the Derbyshire Jewish Community, said:
The event was really useful to us as a small, grassroots community. I met really knowledgeable and inspiring people, and we feel more able to support our members should the need arise.
The Revd Canon Romita Shirsunder from Derby Cathedral said:
Bringing Derby’s faith, voluntary, council, and private-sector partners together under the Cathedral roof showed exactly what is possible when we stand together for social justice. It was an incredibly insightful day that proved just how deeply our city cares about tackling the housing crisis. By building these strong connections across different sectors, we have set a completely new benchmark for what we can accomplish together. Ending the day with a beautiful Choral Evensong service perfectly captured that spirit, anchoring our shared commitment to turning these national ambitions into real, lasting change on the ground.
Sarah Hernandez, managing director of Derventio Housing Trust – which provides accommodation to hundreds of people in Derby and Derbyshire who would otherwise be homeless – said:
The expertise and knowledge of Derby City Mission – who run many of the services for people sleeping rough – and of Jericho House, Faith Hope and Enterprise, YMCA Derbyshire and ourselves at Derventio Housing Trust, was invaluable in organising the first Faith in Housing round table discussion with Derby Cathedral.
We welcome Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s policy on tackling rough sleeping and the funds that the Government has pledged to back their promises. But the fact is that it will require deep, systemic change to really end rough sleeping and a commitment to building high quality, affordable housing to help break the cycle of high rents we are seeing.
We will continue to do all we can to tackle homelessness through providing homes for people who have lost theirs. We thank everyone who came to the Faith in Housing event and we look forward to working with our partners and colleagues across Derby and beyond to continue to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping.