We are delighted that we have a journal article published in the Journal of Integrated Care, based on the City centre rough sleeping and street activity in Stoke-on-Trent research. The title of the paper is ‘Having a voice: a collaborative research project exploring the challenges and assets of people experiencing homelessness’. Sitting within our ‘health inclusion’ theme, the research was funded by Voices of Stoke and was a collaboration between CHAD, Voices and Expert Citizens.
The aim of the study was to understand the lived experience of people who have experienced homelessness and professional stakeholders’ views about the challenges faced by this client group. The study sought to identify measures to improve the current situation for both individuals experiencing homelessness and professionals working with them. A key part of the study was that it used a participatory research approach and peer researchers with lived experience of multiple and complex needs (Expert Citizens) conducted the data collection (semi-structured interviews/surveys with 18 participants (eight individuals experiencing homelessness and street activity and ten professional stakeholders)).
The CHAD team then conducted a thematic analysis of the data. The journal article provides insights into both the current challenges and assets for people who are or have been homeless. Key findings include the need for a coordinated partnership approach to address pathways to support, and the importance of developing opportunities for meaningful activity and building on local resources including giving homeless people a voice.
In the paper, we discuss these findings within the context of current policy (Housing First) and legislation (Homelessness Reduction Act 2017) and the impact on integrated care for people who have experienced homelessness.
You can read the full report for the research on our website here.
Details of the published article.
Massie, R., Machin, R., McCormack, F. & Kurth, J. (2018) Having a voice: a collaborative research project exploring the challenges and assets of people experiencing homelessness. Journal of Integrated Care doi.org/10.1108/JICA-02-2018-0017
