The Black Swimming Association (BSA)’s Post

https://lnkd.in/gCefkT-p The planned protest at the Victoria courthouse on December 1, 2024 brings attention to a crisis we can no longer ignore: highlighting systemic failures and inadequacies—underfunded services, stigma/NIMBYISM, and gaps in affordable housing. When communities lack adequate resources, people are forced into survival mode, and mental health becomes nearly impossible to manage effectively. Many unhoused people are struggling with the concurrent conditions of substance use, untreated mental health and trauma, all of which make it harder to secure housing and find stability. At the same time, the instability and trauma of homelessness, itself, worsen existing mental health issues, exacerbating problems. We know this. Encampments like these aren’t just about housing—they’re about a lack of accessible supports that meet people where they are. Community-based mental health services, combined with investments in affordable housing, can help to break this cycle. We need policies that focus on prevention and long-term care, not just quick fixes. At Island Community Mental Health, we see this every day: when people are given the right supports, they thrive. It’s time to demand more from our systems to ensure nobody has to live like this. #MentalHealthMatters #AffordableHousing #CommunityCare

Yesterday, was about words, today must be about action. The Royal Commission into Abuse in Care warned that the very factors that led to abuse in State Care still exist today. This is not something that happened. This is something that is happening. Yesterday, at the very moment the Prime Minister was apologising for the Government's "historical" failures, myself and my team were advocating and fighting for care experienced young people who were experiencing homelessness, who had been failed by the state, who even now are being retraumatised and oppressed by state agencies who yesterday said "sorry". Words go so far, and yes yesterday was important, a moment hard fought for by survivor's, and yet as the Survivors continue to shout from the roof tops "We Need Action!" Many of the Government's recent decisions, to undermine Te Tiriti and remove 7AA, to make the welfare system more punitive, to restrict access to shelter (via Emergency Housing), to cut available funding to community services and OT, to slash the Homelessness Action Plan, to use 'tough on crime' politics to dehumanise traumatised children framing them as monsters in need of punishment and state sanctioned abuse, these are all decisions that negatively impact on children in care. The Royal Commission highlighted that abuse was enabled because in NZ we have become comfortable with allowing "someone elses" kids to be treated in a way we would never find acceptable for our own. Abuse and neglect of children has become acceptable to us. Yesterday was powerful, Survivors forced their Abuser to face what We have done. But, it cannot end in words. True repentance means we take personal and collective responsibility, we seek Justice, we make what is wrong, right! #LoveIsTheWay #AbuseInCare #abuseinstatecare #caresystem #nzpol Despite the national apology, abuse in state care is still happening - only systemic change will work https://lnkd.in/gpsVhijN

I just read through a thread of online comments by individuals from a small town who were posting about the 'problem of homelessness' in their community. About 2/3 of the posts were about either the 'aesthetic mess' of encampments or the logistics of removal. Another 1/3 of the posts were about actual human beings and reflected on the limited number of (and limitations on access to) shelters, local unhoused individuals with a history of trauma, or concern about the vulnerability individuals face on the street. I have been thinking a lot about how early in our lives many of us are socialized to respond in ways that numb us to the humanity of the people around us. How many of us were told as children not to make eye contact with or speak to unhoused individuals? How many of us were told not to 'stare' at (and therefore not to see) disabled people? Our individual and collective journey towards disconnection, apathy, and dehumanization is long and deep. It's also much more nuanced than we are usually willing to acknowledge. It's easy to point to overtly bigoted language that targets human beings and invites those listening into collective callousness or cruelty. It's not as easy to recognize the way we can transform human beings into object lessons as we make arguments about (and against) policy and legislation that targets communities. (How many of us have heard or made points about the relationship between mass deportation and the cost of groceries?) I find myself fixating on how we make legible this continuum, how we locate ourselves at variable points along it, how we wrestle with what we understand that to mean for who we are relative to who we want to be, how we actively practice humanization, how we grapple with the weight and implications of recognizing and caring about human suffering, how we might redefine our understanding of and obligations to community, and how we can increase our individual and collective capacity to see, speak, and act in ways that foreground compassion and work to reduce harm. Amidst overwhelming feelings of fear and powerlessness that can easily become incapacitating, I find myself hoping that this is how I can show up and continue to do the work.

My book #Austerity Bites: 10 Years On is NOW available for PRE-ORDER. Publication September. It helps enormously if pre-orders come in. My appreciation to everyone who buys, borrows or reads my books. #EndAusterity #Poverty #Inequality #Disability #Homelessness #Stigma #Foodbanks https://lnkd.in/gGn5KZZa

Today the Youth Endowment Fund have published the largest review of how effective police stop & searches are on reducing violence ever completed on our Toolkit: https://lnkd.in/eYihFny3 It shows stop and search reduces crime by 13% (global evidence), and by 5% (UK evidence). It also reviews racial disproportionality in the use of stop and search, the impact on Black and minority ethnic children and the correlations between being stopped and searched with poor mental health outcomes. It suggests that although the measure can be used to tackle violence when it is intelligence-led, there are fairer and more effective alternatives. Read more about it here in the Guardian: https://lnkd.in/eny2cKgV

Did you know that a bottle of shampoo can create hope? A gesture as simple as a bar of soap can restore dignity to those facing homelessness, crisis or having to choose between feeding a child versus keeping that child clean. When people don't have access to necessary and quality hygiene products, the consequences range from social stigma to physical illness. HDI offers products that can custom kitted to meet whatever needs are most urgent. Visit: shophdiforu.com #nonprofitorganization #charitableorganization #essentialneeds #diaperneedawareness #HygieneMatters #hygieneproducts #periodpoverty #endperiodpoverty #homelessnessawareness

As we mark the end of the #16DaysofActivism, we reflect on the harsh reality that home is often the most dangerous place for victims and survivors of domestic abuse. Housing remains a significant barrier for women trying to leave abusive situations and is the leading cause of homelessness among women. However, these outcomes are preventable. When housing providers and local authorities are equipped to spot domestic abuse early and respond effectively, survivors can be supported as part of a #CoordinatedCommunityResponse to domestic abuse. At #DAHA, we are committed to ensuring that all housing providers and local authorities across the UK can offer a safe, consistent, and effective response to domestic abuse. Through our training, membership, and accreditation frameworks, we empower organisations to make a real difference. Our #vision is clear: Survivors—no matter their housing circumstance or tenure—will receive the right support at the right time from local authorities and housing providers. Housing is not just bricks and mortar—it can be the lifeline that enables survivors to escape abuse and rebuild their lives. 🔸 Why housing matters in the fight against domestic abuse: - Survivors often remain in abusive relationships due to a lack of safe housing options.  - Housing providers are on the frontlines of identifying abuse and providing life-changing interventions.  - By prioritising safe and secure homes, we ensure that survivors have the foundation they need to move forward. 💡 During the 16 Days of Activism, we urge all housing providers and local authorities to join us in building a coordinated response to domestic abuse and ensuring safe housing for all survivors. Together, we can make lasting change. #16DaysOfActivism #16Days #EndViolence #DAHA #DomesticAbuseHousingAlliance #NoExcuse #HousingMatters #DomesticAbuse 

I'm creating a movement and I'd like you to join me. It's called #LightThePathChallenge, and here's what you do: 1. Post a photo or video lighting a candle for those affected by gender-based violence. 2. Nominate 3 others. 3. Tag The Women's Centre of Halton and include bit.ly/light-path in the caption - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Why do this? 1. Gender-based violence (GBV) has been declared an epidemic. 2. A woman or girl is killed every 48 hours in Canada. 3. Indigenous women are 3 times more likely to be harmed by GBV. Every year we gather to mourn the loss of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. This has a major impact on health and wellness in Canada. This campaign will help raise awareness and funds to support anti-GBV services like trauma counseling, legal clinics and safety planning, and light the path towards a future free from GBV. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Next: I nominate Yousuf, Shagufe, and Mahnoor to join me. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Learn more: Light The Path https://lnkd.in/eT8mbYfJ Femicide In Canada: https://lnkd.in/e54MRPnG #EndGBV #LightThePath #WomensCentreHalton

We are often asked about our sense of belonging within our communities, organisations, and country. Two weeks ago, you might have heard responses ranging from ‘yes’ to ‘somewhat’. Today, many of us may struggle to respond positively to this same question. Whether we were born here or not, we will always carry our ethnicities with us. Two weeks ago, we would have proudly shared our heritage; today, we are fearful. Today, we are scared. Today, we are disappointed. Today, we are outraged. Amidst the hate, there have been glimmers of hope, as we see allies coming together to bring communities razed to the ground back up and running. They are using their voices to speak up and support asylum seekers and people of colour in their communities. Allies, we really need to hear your voices right now. Amidst the pain and devastation that is consuming us, there are also people restoring our faith in humanity. We cannot and must not allow racists to stop us from feeling like we belong. We belong here, through birth or choice. This is a testament to all those who refuse to accept that racism is still present and to those who are complacent when it comes to being an ally. ALLIES, we need you now more than ever. We want to feel safe. It breaks our hearts that we have to share messages like this across our community. It is a difficult time, and if you need support, here are some resources to keep on hand: Hate Crime Support: - 01708 765 200 - info@supportline.org.uk - supportline.org.uk Muslim Community Helpline: - 020 8908 6715 - 020 8904 8193 - https://lnkd.in/eaDmBxSH Stop Hate UK: - 0800 138 1625 - stophateuk.org/contact-us/ Mind: - 0300 123 3393 - mind.org.uk ❤️