Kate Medhurst

Live in West Devon. Works at Devon homelessness charity. Views are my own. @[email protected]

[Path @PathDevon]

Last night we had a farewell meal for our outgoing Director, Mike Taylor. It was a wonderful opportunity to bring together past and present trustees with the management team; giving thanks to Mike for his 19 years of service.

Fantastic food at https://t.co/EI67vWwQQH

[Kate Medhurst @krmedhurst]

Becky from Path talks to the BBC about the housing crisis in Plymouth.

It really is the worst times we've seen and we've worked at Path for a long time...

https://t.co/XLdP4AmLdN

[James O'Brien @mrjamesob]

After thirteen years of Tory rule, an unprecedented number of people are sleeping in tents.
The Tory response is to ban tents.

[Crisis @crisis_uk]

Sleeping on the streets is NOT a lifestyle choice. We don’t have nearly enough affordable homes, rents are soaring and this is leaving people destitute and forced to sleep rough.
This is a consequence of poverty. And poverty in this country has been exacerbated by policy choices

[Dara Ó Briain @daraobriain]

We could get angry at Suella’s latest piece of performative, pandering cruelty or… instead:
let’s promote the excellent work done by @Shelter, @centrepointuk, @PassageCharity and other fine charities actually trying to help homeless people, especially now, as winter approaches.

[Ben Jameson @inclusiongp.bsky.social @InclusionGP]

It's not a lifestyle choice. It's a consequence of failed policy. We need politicians who want to solve problems, not just exploit them 🙁

[gabyhinsliff @gabyhinsliff]

My god but this is bleak. One kings speech left before election you’re probably going to lose, one last chance to do what really matters to you, and it’s this?

[RNLI @RNLI]

With #StormCiarán bringing #AmberWarning wind & rain, follow our #SafetyAdvice or stay warm indoors:

1️⃣ Stay well back from stormy seas & cliff edges
2️⃣ Check tide times @metoffice
3️⃣ Take a phone
4️⃣ In emergencies call 999/112 & ask for the coastguard

📷 Stephen Duncombe

[Improving Lives Plym @ImprovingLivesP]

We're hiring! This exciting new role will straddle two major innovative programmes aimed at supporting people with complex needs and/or severe and enduring mental health issues across Plymouth and Devon. For more info please see our website: https://t.co/Du6AxuWyLm

[Chris Packham @ChrisGPackham]

You know when you think - it’s bad , it’s actually as bad as it could be , nothing could make things any worse . . . then . . . https://t.co/7hWcyxnt0R

[Path @PathDevon]

We are glad to work with many landlords in #Plymouth and have various ways we can collaborate, from nominating and supporting tenants, to advising about renting, to leasing properties.
And we're keen to work with more.
Contact details below.

[Path @PathDevon]

We've had two colleagues leave this week, lovely people who we'll miss but are so glad to have had as part of our team over the past few years.
With the #HousingCrisis, this is a hard time to work in homelessness, making the dedication and kindness of colleagues even more vital.

[Kate Medhurst @krmedhurst]

@Miketaylor9T @PathDevon You're so funny.

[Kate Medhurst @krmedhurst]

Today marks my 20th anniversary working for @PathDevon.

Thanks for the flowers you lovely lot.

[the-smiling-smithy @SmithySmiling]

I'm in a good mood...so it's time for a giveaway! 😀

Q- I recently tweeted about a ruined castle. What castle was it?

The first person to DM me with the correct answer gets a free random damascus keyring, next 2 get a twist keyring
(UK only, sorry)

[Sophie Earnshaw @sophisabella]

Excellent video starring my colleague clearly explaining the issues thousands of people face unable to find an affordable private rented home and what the government must do. In most areas no rentals within local housing allowance rate #socialsecurity #housing #homelessness

[Daniel Hewitt @DanielHewittITV]

Working people are become the working homeless. Our investigation has found families with children living in tents and hotels.

This was our lead story on News at Ten with @tombradby. We dedicated the first 10 minutes of the show to the housing crisis

[Kate Medhurst @krmedhurst]

Exactly this. But in Plymouth it's not 5% of housing that's affordable for benefit recipients, it's closer to 1%.

Most rents are now £200+ pcm over the LHA rates. I'm loathe to say LHA rates should rise, as I don't want these rent levels to stay, but we have no choice...

[NEF @NEF]

NEW: The number of families and children stuck in temporary accommodation without a secure home has hit record highs.

@alexdiner1987 was on @BBCNews to explain why this has happened and what this government needs to do now.

[Path @PathDevon]

What can be done about #homelessness? The extra funding from government really helps (eg Rough Sleeper Initiative): support is crucial. But we need Housing Benefit (LHA) to increase, so people can afford private rented. And we need far more affordable #socialhousing.

[Path @PathDevon]

It's a real sign of how things are that our Rough Sleeper team saw over 60 people out in Plymouth last week. 2 had accommodation; working with partners, we reconnected or accommodated 7 others.
There's so much being done locally but still many people street #homeless.