31 July 2024
Let’s Talk Renting has taken to the road, providing face-to-face support for families and individuals who rent their home privately in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
A series of Let’s Talk Renting Summer Roadshows, which began in June, showcased how multiple services work in partnership to prevent homelessness across the conurbation.
Let’s Talk Renting, run by the Homelessness Partnership BCP, helps private tenants experiencing rent arrears, eviction, property disrepair and anti-social behaviour. A free advice line is open every weekday on 01202 985104.
In addition to supporting tenants, the roadshows provided a fantastic opportunity to engage with local landlords too, demonstrating how Let’s Talk Renting can help landlords to ensure their properties work effectively.
The team behind Let’s Talk Renting believes that safe, secure homes are the foundation for stability and wellbeing.
Our first roadshow, on 22-23 June, saw Let’s Talk Renting team up with domestic abuse services provided by charitable housing association BCHA with a joint stand at Shake & Stir in Southbourne, a celebration of all things vintage.
Private tenants discussed their concerns about rising rents, with the Let’s Talk Renting team addressing a number of enquiries from tenants who were worried about receiving a Section 21 (no fault) eviction notice if they complained about damp and mould in their home.
BCHA offered support to anyone who was worried about domestic abuse, providing specialist advice for those affected by violence against women and girls (VAWG).
Our next stop was Bourne Free (5-6 July) at Meyrick Park in Bournemouth, the annual pride event and celebration of inclusivity and equality for the LGBTQ+ community in the BCP area.
The decision to have a visible presence at Bourne Free was driven by the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community, which is at heightened risk of homelessness due to housing discrimination and family rejection.
Charity Stonewall claims that almost one in five LGBTQ+ people experience homelessness at some point in their lives. According to the Albert Kennedy Trust, 24% of young people experiencing homelessness identify as LGBTQ+ and 77% believe that coming out to their parents was the main factor.
The Homelessness Partnership BCP’s LGBTQ+ leaflets, along with a new specialist online support area for the community (www.hpbcp.org/i-need-lgbtq-support), spread the word about the extensive level of assistance that’s available to anyone in the LGBTQ+ community who’s at risk of or experiencing homelessness. Private tenants were put in touch with the Let’s Talk Renting service, too.
We are grateful to Dawn Lewis and Jack Cannon of Bourne Free for broadcasting Let’s Talk Renting advice on the giant screens next to the main stage at Meyrick Park, bringing the service to the attention of thousands of visitors over the two-day event.
Fraser Nicholson, Homelessness Partnerships Coordinator at BCP Council, spread the word about Let’s Talk Renting on Bourne Free’s Family Fun Day, supported by members of the partnership’s communications team.
Tom Lund, Head of Operations & Service Delivery at Citizens Advice BCP, and his brilliant team of volunteers, provided Let’s Talk Renting and cost of living support to visitors at Bourne Free on the Saturday.
The third stop on the Let’s Talk Renting Roadshow saw the service team up with partner organisations at one of the area’s biggest summertime events – Poole Goes Vintage – a nostalgic throwback to 1940s to 60s music, fashion, memorabilia, entertainment and transport. It took place on Poole Quay on Sunday 21 July.
A joint stand between Let’s Talk Renting, BCHA and the Access to Food Partnership ensured a comprehensive level of support was on offer for the local community.
Visitors dropped into to the stand throughout the day, to find out more about Let’s Talk Renting, the Access to Food Partnership and BCHA. Dealing with damp and mould topped the agenda for private tenants, while others enquired if the new government will ban Section 21 eviction notices.
The high cost of living was evident, too, with a number of visitors expressing their need for food support. All were signposted to local services – food banks and community fridges – provided by members of the Access to Food Partnership, with great interest in the partnership’s innovative recipe cards, which inspire people to cook healthily on a budget.
Thank you to Kate Parker, Strategic Lead at Shelter Dorset, for sharing her in-depth knowledge of tenancy issues and homelessness prevention on the Let’s Talk Renting stand – and to BCHA’s Adel Padiachy, Senior Practitioner for Domestic Abuse Community Services, who supported visitors with concerns over VAWG. Our stand even received the thumbs up from the event’s street performers!
To find out more about Let’s Talk Renting, visit www.hpbcp.org/lets-talk-renting
