Exiting Re-Unite – lessons learnt from a successful project
One of the first lessons I was taught when training to be a project manager was: never take on a project without knowing how you are going to get out of it. We’re not talking in this case about when a project goes ‘wrong’. What this maxim refers to is when a project has…
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Julie tells all about volunteering at Commonweal
Julie tells us about her experience of working as a volunteer with Commonweal Housing. Can you tell me a little about your role as Volunteer? I get involved in a variety of things, from office administration, filing and answering phone calls to liaising with councils about our properties e.g. to sort out things like service…
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What we do, why we do it and what's the problem with getting it wrong now and then?
Helping expert partners realise and deliver the new projects they wish to test is what Commonweal does. Providing the housing and trying to test models that otherwise may not see the light of day. We don’t support guaranteed successes – if something has already been tried and tested then we encourage others to support the…
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Getting it wrong and admitting it – can the Government do the same?
Commonweal’s Chief Executive Ashley Horsey discusses the challenges faced by the Libra project, designed to support miscarriages of Justice victims. Imagine serving a lengthy prison sentence for a crime you didn’t commit. Then envision what it would feel like, if after years of struggle and appeals, to finally have your conviction quashed because you are innocent. Only to find you are left alone to fend for yourself on…
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Sharing news on social injustice
Welcome to the first in a regular series of weekly blogs written by staff, friends and partners of Commonweal Housing. Pop back every week for insight and updates into the work we’re doing to fight social injustice, as well as thought provoking opinion pieces on current housing and social issues. Tackling difficult social issues One of…
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Re-Unite – Mary and baby Benjamin’s journey – from prison to a brighter future
When Re-Unite first met 33 year old Mary* from Greater Manchester she was serving a three year prison term. Mary was referred to us by the Mother and Baby unit at HMP Styal as she had just given birth to new baby whist in custody; her two teenage daughters were staying with their grandmother while…
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