International Visitor

Tom Gill, Associate Professor at the Institute of Social Sciences, Tokyo University, will visit Local Solutions in July, as part of a research he is undertaking into homelessness.

This visit has resulted from a recent international conference held in Osaka and Tokyo, at which Local Solutions Assistant Chief Executive, Stephen Hawkins attended as representative of the organisation. The conference, organised by the charity, Links Japan and the Tokyo Voluntary Action Centre, looked at worldwide perspectives on pioneering homelessness initiatives. At the various symposiums, Stephen Hawkins outlined the problems faced by homeless people and was given the opportunity to speak about Homeground and the Merseyside Accommodation Project – two effective programmes that Local Solutions operate which tackle such issues. 

During the conference, Stephen Hawkins became acquainted with Professor Gill, who expressed a keen desire to visit Liverpool as part of his research on worldwide homelessness that he is undertaking.  During his stay in Liverpool, Professor Gill will visit various homelessness agencies in the area including Local Solutions Homeground and Merseyside Accommodation Project.  He has also been invited to visit hostel provision, Missionaries of Charity Centre, and drop in centre, The Whitechapel Project.

We hope that the visit will provide Professor Gill with an insight into some of the innovative work that is being undertaken to alleviate homelessness and more importantly assist him in his research.

A fuller report will be available following the visit.