A cat, a tortoise and a hibernating animal create a no. 1 YouTube success for homeless election podcast

Published by Homeless Link for Homeless Link in Housing and also in Central Government

Homeless Link celebrates being most viewed UK non-profit channel on YouTube and appeals for public help to hit global no 1

When Ian Austin, housing minister until the election and Grant Shapps, who aspires to the job, answered a question from people at Oxford Homeless Pathways, they did not know they were making an unlikely No 1 hit. But Homeless Link’s election podcast, the day after it was released, became the most viewed UK non-profit channel on YouTube. It is also the 36th most viewed non-profit channel globally.  Homeless Link appeals for the public to visit, to find out how the parties will tackle homelessness and to watch videos of the great work taking place to tackle homelessness and change lives right round the country.

"We need to get the message out" says Jenny Edwards, Chief Executive of Homeless Link. "There is amazing talent in people who are homeless; we want the public to recognise this and help their local charities as they work to unlock this potential. Visit our YouTube channel and pass the word onto your friends. Help us get global attention and show our politicians that tackling homelessness counts in this election.”

Ian Austin and Grant Shapps, in their live interviews, both committed themselves to the ambition of ending street homelessness by 2012. Jenny added "We are very encouraged to have two national parties committed to tackling this deep social problem with determination during the lifetime of the next Government. We already have broad political support from many local government leaders working to end street homelessness in their area. This is an ethical issue that crosses party boundaries as politicians commit to use their position to champion a better life for those who have, too often, been bottom of the pile.”

Homeless Link, the national umbrella organisation for frontline homelessness charities, asked its 500 member agencies and their service users to come up with the 3 questions they would most like to ask the homelessness and housing spokespeople for the 4 main parties.   It submitted six challenging questions to the parties.  Labour and Conservative spokespeople agreed to be recorded, while the Liberal Democrats and Green Party provided written responses.  

Jenny Edwards, Chief Executive of Homeless Link, said, “We are delighted by the success of our first ever podcasts and very much appreciate the time everyone invested. Social media really helped bring together the politicians and the people whose lives depend on their decisions in a critical debate."

What next for this new media savvy charity? After coordinating the homelessness charities that helped to build the garden that won a silver medal at last year's Chelsea Flower Show, this year’s Places of Change Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2010, is even bigger and better. This year there will also be a digital version, so that people who don’t manage to get to the Show in person can visit and find out about the work over the months ahead.
 
ENDS

For more information contact Gill Perkins on 020 7840 4425 or Isabelle Pugh on 020 7840 4451