Issue 03 October 2026
To end homelessness for good, we must address the bigger picture
Nic Adamson
Deputy Chief Executive
Change Grow Live
A note from Nic
The Government pledge to end homelessness by Christmas will transform the way we work at Change Grow Live — not just in our outreach teams, but across all our services.
Ending rough sleeping is about far more than just getting people into accommodation. Getting someone housed doesn't mean that their support needs disappear; it just means that they're off the street. And that is when the hard work starts.
Equally as important, we need to prevent people from ending up homeless in the first place. Our ambition is to reach people sooner, and early intervention can help someone avoid the associated spiral of substance use, poor mental health and trauma.
In this month's Insights, experts share their views on what needs to change to ensure the success of the Government's plan — and end homelessness for good.
Nic
Lead feature
Just one night on the street is someone experiencing trauma
Every single one of Change Grow Live's adult services will come into contact with someone who is homeless or on the edge of homelessness. So how can we identify them sooner?
Read the lead feature: Just one night on the street is someone experiencing trauma →“We need the same approach to homelessness that we have with safeguarding: embedding it into every role”
Also in this issue
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Treatment
“Even an hour can be a long time”
Change Grow Live's innovative rapid prescription service improves access to opioid substitution treatment for people experiencing both rough sleeping and dependent opioid use.
Read more about “Even an hour can be a long time” → -
Guest view
Finding everyone is only half the challenge
The Government's commitment to offer everyone sleeping rough a route off the streets by Christmas is hugely ambitious. For women, delivering it will depend on getting two things right: finding them in the first place, and making sure the support offered works for them.
Read more about Finding everyone is only half the challenge → -
Peer Worker
Cautious optimism
Someone sleeping rough isn't thinking about referral pathways or eligibility criteria. They're thinking about how they'll get through the next 24 hours. Our peer worker explains why ending rough sleeping means building services around people, not the other way round.
Read more about Cautious optimism →