Programme

The Under One Roof 2026 programme brings the homelessness sector together for two days of reflection, learning and collaboration, offering plenaries, panels and practical sessions that explore past progress, current challenges and future opportunities for homelessness services.

Please note, the programme may change as we finalise the details.

Day 1: Monday 8 June

The first day of the programme reflects on the past and current practice, exploring the impact of voluntary organisations over the last 25 years and the landscape today.

09:00 - 10:00

Registration and coffee

10:00 - 10:25

Welcome and housekeeping

10:30 - 11:15

Opening plenary

Reflecting on 25 years of Homeless Link

Join us for a reflective conversation looking back at Homeless Link’s 25‑year journey and the collective progress made across the homelessness sector. Speakers will explore key milestones, how the landscape has evolved, and what our shared impact means for the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Speakers:

  • Jamie Burton, Chair of Trustees, Homeless Link
  • Rick Henderson, CEO, Homeless Link
  • Amanda Dubarry, CEO, Your Place

11:15 - 11:45

Break

11:45 - 13:00

Breakout session 1 - your choice of the following:

Choose a session that explores a key aspect of homelessness policy and practice, led by services and sector experts sharing effective and innovative approaches from across the country.

Renters Rights Act

  • Speakers TBC

Temporary Accommodation model of provision

  • Emily Brailsford, emh
  • Siobhan Keown, Partner & Head of Housing and Regeneration (Litigation), Housing & Regeneration, Forbes Solicitors
  • David Scruton, Housing Strategy and Systems Team Manager, North West Lincolnshire District Council

Prison leavers and homelessness: The reality, the challenge, the solution

  • Mark Turner, CCO , The Housing Network
  • Jonathan Vellacott, Director of Specialist Services, The Housing Network

Breaking down siloed working in domestic abuse and homelessness: Why a coordinated community response approach matters

  • Elise Whittaker, DAHA Homelessness & Supported Accommodation Accreditation Lead, Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse
  • Amy Smith, DAHA Homelessness & Supported Accommodation Manager, Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse

Barriers and enablers of implementing trauma informed care in homelessness services

  • Jo Prestidge, Head of Development, Homeless Link

Safeguarding - a partnership approach to working with social care teams

  • Speakers TBC

Delivering better end of life care for people experiencing homelessness

  • David Carter, CEO, The Whitechapel Centre
  • Speakers TBC

13:00 - 14:00

Buffet lunch

13:15 - 13:45

Optional Lunch and Learns (30 mins)

In-Form

  • Matt Harrison, Deputy CEO, Homeless Link
  • Matthew Smitheman, Senior Customer Success and Renewals Manager, Homeless Link

Social Investment

  • Nitya Teagarajan, Senior Social Investment Programme Manager, Homeless Link

Workforce Development

  • Kate Alaway, Head of National Workforce Development, Homeless Link

14:00 - 15:15

Plenary session

Museum of Homelessness lived experience takeover

What can we learn from homelessness history that can help us get through today? The future is scary right now, but how can we change that? For the plenary, Museum of Homelessness will stage an exclusive adaptation of their smash hit show How to Survive the Apocalypse. This unforgettable experience draws on wisdoms from the grassroots - and from the street - to answer some of today's biggest questions. Together we will pay attention to our past, transcend the troubles of today and rewrite our collective futures. Please bring an object that means something important to you and an open heart.

15:15 - 15:45

Break

15:45 - 17:00

Breakout session 2. Repeat of breakout session 1 choices, plus:

How Ofsted regulations impact young people experiencing homelessness

  • Matt Bawden, Director of Progression Housing (Interim), Centrepoint

Note: This session replaces the one on end of life care.

17:00

Close day one and hotel check-in

18:30 - 19:00

Excellence Awards drinks reception

19:00 - 23:00

Excellence Awards presentations and dinner

We'll come together to celebrate the incredible achievements of our sector with a drinks reception and dinner. The evening will shine a spotlight on outstanding work as we proudly reveal and honour the winners of the Homeless Link Excellence Awards 2026.

21:00 - 21:45

Return of the fireside chat

Building on the success of last year’s session, we’ll be hosting an informal and engaging policy discussion after dinner with Homeless Link's Head of Policy and Director of Social Change. Attendees are welcome to join in the conversation as active participants, or just to come along with a drink to sit back and listen.

Day 2: Tuesday 9 June

On the second day we'll focus on the future, exploring how voluntary organisations can innovate, collaborate, and respond to rising pressures while strengthening their impact.

09:25 - 09:30

Welcome to day 2

09:30 - 10:45

Panel discussion

What's next in homelessness?

Our panel will discuss the future of homelessness in England, examining challenges and opportunities for the sector, both immediate and long term.

Speakers:

  • Bonnie Williams, CEO, Housing Justice
  • Rick Henderson, CEO, Homeless Link
  • Salma Ravat MBE, CEO, One Roof Leicester
  • Mark Simms OBE, Group Chief Executive, P3 Charity

10:45 - 11:15

Break

11:15 - 12:30

Breakout session 3 - your choice of the following:

Choose a session that explores a key aspect of homelessness policy and practice, led by services and sector experts sharing effective and innovative approaches from across the country.

Preparing for the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023

  • Sam Dalton, Policy, Campaigns and External Affairs Manager, Emmaus UK
  • Martin Burrows, Impact and Innovation Lead, Emmaus UK

Destination home: What real partnership delivery looks like in a whole-system homelessness pathway

  • Kerry Birtles, Executive Director of Support and Wellbeing, Honeycomb Group
  • Steve Barkess, Head of Homelessness and Complex Needs at Concrete, part of Honecomb Group

Congregate Housing First - a new approach to end rough sleeping

  • Amanda Dubarry, CEO, Your Place
  • David Leatherbarrow, Contracts and Performance Manager, Two Saints

Beyond 'work readiness': Embedding employability in supported housing

  • Jess Smith, Research and Evaluation Manager, Framework
  • Rachel Gibbs, It Pays to Work Lead, Framework

National and regional insights into homelessness and the Immigration System

  • Bethan Lant, Head of Capacity Building, Praxis
  • Speaker TBC

Trauma-informed Personal Passports in practice

  • Speakers TBC

How to support staff wellbeing and prevent burnout

  • BCP Council, speaker TBC

12:30 - 13:30

Buffet lunch

12:45 - 13:15

Optional Lunch and Learns (30 mins)

Social Investment

  • Nitya Teagarajan, Senior Social Investment Programme Manager, Homeless Link

Workforce Development

  • Kate Alaway, Head of National Workforce Development, Homeless Link

13:30 - 14:45

Breakout session 4 (repeat of breakout session 3 choices)

Choose a session that explores a key aspect of homelessness policy and practice, led by services and sector experts sharing effective and innovative approaches from across the country.

14:45

Close of the conference
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