Nicola's European adventure
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A worker from Greater Manchester’s regional Housing First partnership has joined peers from across Europe in a ‘Train the Trainer’ programme to help spread the expertise.
In March, Housing First leaders from across Europe met in Brussels, beginning the 8th cohort of Housing First Europe Hub’s prestigious ‘Train the Trainer’ programme.
Among the successful applicants was Nicola Wilson, who works for Rochdale-based homelessness charity Petrus as the Housing First Team Leader for Bolton, Bury and Rochdale.
Nicola has worked with the partnership for five and a half years and her involvement marks an important moment for Greater Manchester as the region strengthens its place within the wider European Housing First community.
Housing First is an evidence-based approach to ending homelessness that provides permanent housing to people experiencing homelessness - without requiring preconditions. Once housed, people are offered wraparound support services tailored to their needs.
The Greater Manchester partnership, led by Great Places Housing Group, has been running since 2019 and has helped more than 450 people escape homeless and entrenched rough sleeping and into a home of their own.
The Housing First Europe Hub’s programme supports practitioners from across Europe to deepen their understanding of Housing First and develop the skills needed to introduce, strengthen and scale the model in different contexts.
By taking part, Nicola will be working alongside colleagues from a range of countries, sharing learning, building connections and contributing Greater Manchester’s experience to the wider movement.
For Greater Manchester, this represents a valuable opportunity. Once Nicola completes the programme, the region will have a certified Housing First trainer within its own workforce and ensure that Housing First principles are consistently embedded across teams, and support new staff with high-quality, locally delivered training.
Over three sessions, the programme will bring Housing First leaders from across Europe together to share best practice and develop the skills needed to introduce, strengthen and scale the model in different their regions.
Programme Lead Emily Cole said: “Nicola has been an integral part of the partnership for more than five years and is well positioned to share the incredible outcomes achieved by the Housing First Programme in Greater Manchester.”
“The fact that Nicola has been included in the programme not only highlights her commitment to further develop her understanding of the Housing First model but the importance of the Partnership across Europe and within the Housing First community.”
“We can’t wait to hear what she has learned and see that learning being cascaded out to our teams to help more people across the region.”
Nicola’s involvement will highlight the fantastic work being delivered by teams working across Greater Manchester and contribute to the development of Housing First across Europe.
Nicola Wilson said: “I’m really pleased to have been selected for the Train the Trainer programme.
"After working in Housing First for more than five years, I’ve seen first-hand the difference it makes to people’s lives and what it means for our homeless community. Being able to represent Greater Manchester within the wider European Housing First network is something I’m incredibly proud of.
"I’m looking forward to learning from colleagues across Europe and bringing that knowledge back to strengthen the support we offer here at home.”
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