Resources

Impact review of BAOH 2010

Download as a PDF

Work Inclusion, All big ticks

West Midlands Business Action on Homelessness - A New Direction for the Steering Group

Employability Big Tick 2010

Those that are easily led, can easily be led in the right direction

Ray GilesCarillion employee Job Coaching a young offender

The Birmingham Business Action on Homelessness Steering Group was established in 1999. It is a unique partnership between experienced leaders from six national and seven local businesses, homeless and community agencies and Government. It aims to break the vicious cycle of 'no job, no home', by helping homeless people find employment and independent living.

In 2009 the Steering Group reviewed the impact of their activities to date and made a number of significant changes, including extending their work across the region, and supporting those at risk of becoming homeless.

Overview of the programme

The Steering Group has achieved a lot due to its new direction. It has increased the number of cross sector partnerships between Steering Group member companies and agencies working with homeless clients. These collaborations have increased the impact members have on the agenda more broadly. Recent partnerships include Cadbury and the Big Issue, Wragge & Co and YMCA and KPMG and SIFA Fireside.

The Steering Group has recently attracted additional Working Neighbourhoods funding and has started to work more closely with social housing partners to engage new, hard to reach communities.

The support offered to participants of the Business Action on Homelessness programme include:

Two-day work employability training for participants
Two week work placement
Provision of a work buddy during the two week work placement of activities to support clients.
Provision of a job coach, who will mentor a client after their placement with areas such as interviews, CV creation and access to training.

Impact

Business Benefit

Volunteer survey showed 71% of volunteers reported improved loyalty to their company, 69% felt more motivated in their work, 77% reported an increase in team working and coaching skills
Companies who tender for public procurement contracts, such as ADI, find it useful to include details of their support of the Steering Group, to highlight their work within the local community that they operate