News & Events
October 2025 Steve's Blog
05 November 2025
Dear Friends and Supporters,
As autumn settles in—with acorns falling and spiders spinning webs—I want to share highlights from recent weeks at Turning Lives Around (TLA). It’s been a period of strategic planning, partnership building, and operational focus, all aimed at preventing homelessness and improving wellbeing.
Showing Racism the Red Card
17th October was Wear Red Day, part of the national campaign to stand against racism. Colleagues joined in by wearing red and sending photos – it’s a powerful statement of solidarity with colleagues and communities who face discrimination. This is more than a gesture; it’s about creating a culture where respect and inclusion are non-negotiable.
Driving Progress
Our Plan on a Page continues to guide priorities and track progress. The latest version reflects significant strides since its last update. At our recent All-Organisation Meeting, we discussed finance and property voids. September showed an overspend, and the team is already implementing an action plan to address this.
We’re also finalising our Impact Report, which will launch at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday 26th November, 5:30–7:30 pm at HEART, Headingley. This report powerfully demonstrates the difference we make in health, wellbeing, and homelessness prevention. If you would like to come to our AGM, you are very welcome. Please email @Amanda Bennett.
Call for Members
We need members for the AGM! Membership costs £1 (and TLA will cover this if needed). Members vote on key decisions, including trustee appointments and accounts approval. If you’d like to join, please email Amanda Bennett. Your involvement strengthens our governance and impact.
Culture and Collaboration
Positive feedback from our Boundaries Training shows it’s shaping a respectful, professional culture. I also met with Ruth Kettle, CEO of Inspire North, to strengthen partnerships through OWL and Beacon consortia. Collaboration remains central to tackling complex challenges.
Homelessness Summit
TLA was involved in the Homelessness and Health Summit in the City Museum. Colleagues came with me to represent TLA on a stall and speak about our work. There were over 150 people from a range of sectors. The energy built through the day, with powerful presentations and performances, including from Surfing Sofas, poet in residence at the Museum of Homelessness. Some concrete actions came out of the day, including an expanding partnership between TLA, private landlords and Leeds Housing Options, to create more affordable homes for families currently in costly temporary accommodation.
Sector Leadership
At the Homeless Prevention Forum I chaired, we explored data governance, trauma-informed support, and multi-agency strategies to tackle issues like cuckooing. These conversations reinforce our commitment to systemic solutions.
The Bigger Picture
Housing pressures are escalating. Shelter reports councils spent £2.8 billion on temporary accommodation in 2024/25, a 25% rise in one year, with 165,510 children now in temporary housing. The UK now has the highest homelessness rate in the developed world, and experts warn of deepening crises without urgent investment in social housing. Meanwhile, Prince William’s advocacy continues to raise awareness and challenge stigma—reminding us that homelessness is a national priority
Personal Note
I took two days off to go to the seaside with my youngest son and my partner. We had fun walking the dog and lighting fires on the beach, plus playing Monopoly and watching Celebrity Traitors together. I did have a quick dip in the sea - it was so cold I was in and out in about 5 seconds flat!
Thank You
Your support enables TLA to keep turning lives around every day. Whether through donations, volunteering, or spreading the word, you help make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring. Together, we can create lasting change.
Warm regards,
Steve
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