Homeless Link announces winners of inspirational community awards

Earlier this week, representatives from all areas of local and central government and the voluntary sector came together to recognise the tremendous contributions of homeless people and day centres to the communities in which they live. 

The Michael Whippman Award and the John Laing Charitable Trust Day Centre of the Year Awards are award schemes with a difference.

They focus on the contributions of homeless people and day centres to their communities – aiming to challenge false stereotypes about people who are homeless and to show clearly that anything is possible.

The award ceremony, organised by Homeless Link, took place in the grand setting of Portcullis House.

The awards were presented by Iain Wright MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Communities and Local Government; Grant Shapps MP, Shadow Minister for Housing, Conservative Party; Lembit Öpik MP, Shadow Minister for Housing, Liberal Democrats; and Mick Hamilton, The John Laing Charitable Trust. 

Jenny Edwards, Chief Executive of Homeless Link, the national umbrella organisation for frontline homelessness agencies, said: “We are delighted to be associated with both of these fantastic award schemes.

“They really do show that, given the right support, anything is possible for people who are homeless.

“Communities see real benefits and, for the people involved, seeing their work making a real difference is a key step towards ending homelessness.”

Mick Hamilton, Secretary of the John Laing Charitable Trust, said: "John Laing has been providing support for Day Centres either directly or through Homeless Link for nearly 15 years.

“With all of our donations we try to ensure each one Makes a Difference. The amazing entries to these awards illustrate that this type of funding has made a substantial difference to the individuals, the organisations and the local communities of each of the Day Centres that entered the competition."