Soft services facilities management provider SBFM has signed up to the Crisis Homelessness Covenant.
Developed in 2023, the covenant contains a set of pledges and guides to support people at risk of or experiencing homelessness in the workplace.
The covenant was developed by Crisis, the national charity for people experiencing homelessness, in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The three pledges are to provide employment and training opportunities, adopt fairer employment and recruitment policies, and fundraise and raise awareness in local communities.
The covenant’s guides include how to develop internal infrastructures and specialist advice to those experiencing homelessness, to cultivate an inclusive, fair and supportive environment. It includes advice on how to build understanding, spot signs of housing struggles and reach out to colleagues.
This pledge will also guide SBFM’s Evolve initiative. The scheme strives to provide sustainable employment opportunities for individuals facing barriers in the world of work, including those experiencing homelessness. Working with clients, known as Evolve Partners, and charitable partners, Evolve identifies, trains and provides catered support for recruits.
Matt Chapman, CEO at SBFM, said: “Signing up to the covenant is an important step in improving our support systems for those experiencing homelessness. Many are still feeling the effects of the cost-of-living crisis, and those working in frontline roles like cleaning are especially vulnerable to financial insecurity. We want all our employees to feel secure at work, which means having a safe home to go to as well.”
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