AN ONGOING initiative which aims to improve understanding around the complex issues of homelessness held a successful event at Bournemouth Reform Synagogue.

The event, which focused on the situation in Bournemouth, follows on from the launch of the”Homeless Project”, at Talbot Heath School in January.

Through the scheme, the synagogue and school are working collaboratively to build a deeper understanding of homelessness and rough sleeping.

Paul Hudson and Andrew Teale from St Mungos, Kate Parker from Shelter UK and David Chidwick from Faithworks Wessex talked about the work they are undertaking and ways in which the difficulties could be tackled.

They addressed some of the root causes of homelessness and rough sleeping such as affordable housing, stagnating wages and the impact of early years trauma.

The audience were also given the opportunity to ask questions and a wide-ranging discussion followed. It was suggested that looking at initiatives from other areas could be beneficial in improving services.

Attendees included representatives from Bournemouth Borough Council, YMCA, Rev Dr Ian Terry, school governors as well as pupils, parents and staff from Talbot Heath

The councillors said they hoped this meeting would be the first of many.

Angharad Holloway, head of Talbot Heath, said she was “very pleased to be involved in the project” and the educational possibilities it presented.

Deborah Tendler, honorary chair of Bournemouth Reform Synagogue who is also the Speech and Drama teacher at Talbot Heath, said the initiative had been received “positively”.

“From the audience’s perspective it was a very insightful event and they found out about all the work the different organisations are doing,” she said.

“The project is about raising awareness and building understanding so everyone has a better picture of the situation.”

Ms Tendler said she is organising a short play with pupils about homelessness and will draw on some of the themes raised during the evening in a bid to further raise awareness.