MY BEAUTIFUL GEMS… BACK TO THE STREETS NO MORE
Illustration by Mr What & Mrs Why ©️ 2020
A Video Message From David Tovey, Patron, GEM Programme
It was great to hear from our GEM Programme Patron, David Tovey last week. David is formerly homeless and is now a talented artist and housing campaigner. He uses both art and his passion for social justice to bring innovation and change to homelessness and most recently he is supporting Housing First in Coventry. Unsurprisingly, he is working tirelessly and selflessly in lockdown to continue his work with and for homeless people. In his personal video message to the GEMs David brings inspiration to what is possible in the face of Covid 19 and has invited the GEMs to keep thinking creatively to find new ideas to make a dent in homelessness.
Inspired by his work with homeless people currently living in hotels as a result of Covid 19, David urges us to use this new found visibility to avoid putting homeless people back on the streets post the pandemic. He wants our GEM community to join him in generating new and different thinking which defines and uses Covid 19 as an opportunity and a game changer for addressing homelessness, not just a respite solution. At Incommunities we are already making progress on this important issue with our partners and it would be great to hear what you are doing and any ideas that can make a difference.
Please share your ideas and actions with us so we can inspire colleagues. We believe in the power of ideas pooling, co creation and the energy of our values. Nothing is impossible; lets make sure it’s back to the streets no more.
Geraldine Howley, Chair GEM Programme and CEO Incommunities Group