Hope Shapers

At Forest Churches Emergency Night Shelter, we value the power of every individual who comes into our service. We want to redress the balance of power so that everyone who has had experience of homelessness feels that they have a voice and that they can be heard. FCENS lived experience group is about nurturing that voice and giving people a safe place to come together and to value one another for the individuals that we are.

Lived Experience Group

FCENS Lived Experience Group is a community of people who have had contact with FCENS and have experienced homelessness in Waltham Forest. The group has organises events for befriending, socialising, to learn from each other for personal growth and development. Yoga, mindfulness and meditation are offered to participants. The group is connected to a network of day centres learning skills in co-production and works to co-design services at FCENS.

Voice For Change

Our lived experience group is a voice for change to influence decision-makers considering services to empower people with lived experience of homelessness. We advocate to improve people’s experiences when interacting with housing and temporary accommodation.

Peer The Peer Coach will also have a role to co-ordinate activities of the Lived Experience Group, and to assist in developing the network of people with lived experience in Waltham Forest, contributing to local planning

Peer Coaches

FCENS Peer Coaches work alongside the homelessness casework team to support guests at the night shelter. Peer Coaches have lived experience of homelessness in Waltham Forest. They offer support and help people to identify their own develop goals and actions to achieve them.

Unity

Your support will help guests, volunteers, staff and trustees at FCENS to work closely together, to collaborate and build unity to support each other. Help us to build a community of people with experience of homelessness.