A fond farewell has been said to Rebecca Pawley, project coordinator for Leicester’s Homelessness Charter, as she leaves to take up a post with the Jo Cox Foundation.
Rebecca joined Together Leicester three years ago and, as the first to take up the role of project coordinator with the Charter, she has worked tirelessly to bring people into the fold of what was formed as a diocesan partnership organisation.
Rebecca’s work has supported the day-to-day activities of the Charter, working closely with key partners across the city to implement and coordinate Leicester’s response to homelessness.
Bishop Martyn, Chair of the Charter’s Oversight Group, thanked Rebecca, saying: “Rebecca has been instrumental in bringing together the different charities and agencies working with people who have experienced homelessness. She has been a tireless champion for their work and helped ensure good cooperation and coordination. I am extremely grateful to her and wish her well in her new role with the Jo Cox Foundation.”
In response, Rebecca said: “The support, care and concern for the cause from Bishop Martyn has been amazing and means a lot.
“During the three years I’ve been here, we have built a really strong coalition between charities and with the local authority, which was needed, and I’m proud of where the Charter’s at.
“While I will miss the people, I know I move into my new job - which has a strong emphasis on loneliness - having made friendships and professional relationships that will allow joined up working and enable me to continue supporting the marginalised. So this isn’t goodbye.”
She added: "I have treasured the time that I have had working so closely with people with lived experience of homelessness, current or past. Listening to, and incorporating the views of those who are or who have been homeless into our policy at national and level is a key part of the solution."
There will be a short period of discussion and discernment, as the next steps for Together Leicester and the Charter are planned.
Revd Alison Adams, Canon Pastor at Leicester Cathedral and Chair of Leicester’s Homelessness Charter, said: “It is always sad to say farewell to a valued colleague, but I know that she is moving into a sphere very dear to her heart. Rebecca has contributed much to the development of Leicester’s Homelessness Charter, most particularly in terms of relationships, drawing people and organisations to act together over shared concerns, and ensuring that everyone is appropriately well-informed. As a result, the Charter is recognised and valued, both locally and nationally.”
Revd Alison is currently holding the fort and says the Charter is “very much alive and kicking!” In particular, work is being done around families in temporary accommodation, but there are many other threads being worked on.
Find out more about the Charter at leicesterhomelessnesscharter.co.uk or contact them at charter@togetherleicester.org.uk, 07894231800.