Policy Geek

Day: cape, mask & pants over tights - zooming about trying to help end homelessness. Night: still a cape fan!

Pronouns - she / her

All views are my own.

[Policy Geek @PolicyScot]

A gorgeous morning! Perfect for meeting up with some of @Cyrenians1968 Directors and Senior Management Team to discuss all things homelessness policy and change. It is fair to say, a lot has happened since the Housing Acts of 1987 and 2001!

[Policy Geek @PolicyScot]

I've not always had a home. I've been homeless. But that was many years ago. It's 2024. We need every sector to play their part. Preventing homelessness is a health matter, a justice matter, a CYP matter, education, not just housing. Resource must reflect this #WorldHomelessDay

[Policy Geek @PolicyScot]

If you run a group for adults in Dundee, I might like to hear from you. I'm meeting people who've experienced homelessness and are now housed to hear views & ideas. This is a great opportunity to shape the future of homelessness in Dundee. Drop me a wee DM. #VoicesMakingChanges

[Policy Geek @PolicyScot]

Worked with this expert team today, discussing housing and homelessness. We covered a lot of ground in a short space of time. Housing Acts, Housing Bills, Local Connection, definitions, rights, duties, and the challenges facing us today. Thanks for such enthusiasm @scotwomensaid

[Policy Geek @PolicyScot]

More pears. A bit of Sunday afternoon baking. What's a pear version of a tarte tatin? Well, this is it....whatever it's called.

[Policy Geek @PolicyScot]

Half picked, leaving half for the birds. Now time for pancakes!

[Policy Geek @PolicyScot]

The UN described our welfare system as one designed by misogynists. Some solutions to support and help people move out of poverty need new systems, need more research, need the reasons why. This has all of these already.....

[Aberlour Children's Charity @AberlourCCT]

Urgent action is needed to turn the tide on #ChildPoverty. Abolishing the 2 child limit would immediately lift 300k children across the UK out of poverty. This would be a good start. We urge @Keir_Starmer to do the right thing. 👓 👇 https://t.co/Now9KPVVqJ

[Policy Geek @PolicyScot]

Joining #HerFreedomScotland campaign. I wore these (in a new clean state) in the Scottish Parliament giving evidence. Seen here, I was home from a festival where I danced & laughed with friends. They're in front of logs in my warm safe home. I've lived with violence. I don't now.

[Policy Geek @PolicyScot]

Back on X, can't stay away after homelessness stats. Even more frustrated that housing is absent from the Programme for Government. Also shows we can't cut back any more. We need resourced prevention...and houses, obviously! My findings https://t.co/mn2TlAv2Fh for @Cyrenians1968

[Policy Geek @PolicyScot]

The leading cause of death 5 to 24 yrs is suicide. It seems vital that we look at our services to prevent this. Dr Richmond Davies from @P_H_S_Official outlines some of the approaches happening...whilst highlighting the waiting lists, etc. just now are failing our young people.

[Policy Geek @PolicyScot]

An interesting start to the conference at the Polish Consulate today - the depression, anxiety and Internet stats here from the Polish Family Support Centre are startling.

[Policy Geek @PolicyScot]

Erm @EastCoastBuses why are so many of your buses showing as 'part route' on bus tracker, yet when they arrive, they're (thankfully, phew!) the entire route?! What's going on....sent from part route bus going to NB #GotAnUberTuesdayWhenINeedntHave @BrookeHRitchie @colin_yorkston

[Policy Geek @PolicyScot]

Quite the setting for #InternationalWomensDay as @scotwomensaid enjoy a night as the nominated charity at this year's Women In Property event!

[Policy Geek @PolicyScot]

@scotwomensaid shares. 1 in 4 people in Scotland are affected by domestic abuse. Tonight, we have the privilege of sharing our challenges and solutions with everyone in the room at the #InternationalWomensDay event with Women in Property.

[Policy Geek @PolicyScot]

There's so many reports to be reading, but not all new in content. This, on the other hand.....

[The Promise Scotland @ThePromiseScot]

The Promise Scotland commissioned @OPFS to research how families are financially impacted when a child is taken into care or returned home after being in care. This resulted in recommendations and practical guides for parents and practitioners to help navigate these challenges.

[Policy Geek @PolicyScot]

@scotwomensaid & @DundeeCouncil at @CIHScotland #housingfestival had about 100 folk sharing how to make progress in providing gendered services, as well as policies & good practice to support and house women who have experienced domestic abuse #WeHaveLegislationMustImplementIt

[Policy Geek @PolicyScot]

@scotwomensaid is delighted to be a part of the @CIHScotland Housing Festival. What has already made it worthwhile is meeting new people who share their surprise at how a domestic abuse session fits into housing. Currently listening to @kezdugdale outline the housing crisis.

[Policy Geek @PolicyScot]

Delighted to hear the DA being clearly on the homelessness prevention agenda from @PaulMcLennan7 yesterday....sorry I was too focused to Tweet at the time! #FineTuned

[Homeless Network Scotland @homelessnetscot]

A string of questions about supporting care experienced people to ensure they have safe & secure homes. Local & central Gov are focused on what they can do without need for legislation. #FineTuned

[Policy Geek @PolicyScot]

A wee snippet of the day yesterday... @scotwomensaid were delighted to be a part of such a successful event #FineTuned There was a definite consensus to not add to the steps of what to do next; we know what to do. Instead let's just plan and do what is already on the lists!

[Ewan Aitken 🇺🇦 @EwanAitken]

Honest confession from @MaffPotts @Camerados_org - “I spent too long thinking fixing #homelessness is about #housing - it’s about the vulnerability of bring human and the power of deep connection” and breaking the rules with fairy lights! @homelessnetscot #finetuned

[Dr Marsha Scott @SWACEO]

15 hrs left. Just sayin’. #wgmf

[Policy Geek @PolicyScot]

Superb news! Yup, it is happening. The #FundToLeave is confirmed. It will be up and running across 5 LA's as soon as the ink dries! Absolutely delighted! @ScotGovFairer

[Scottish Women's Aid @scotwomensaid]

The Scottish Government @ScotGovFairer has just announced a new pilot fund offering support for victims of domestic abuse to leave an abusive relationship. Given the cost of living crisis, this funding has never been more needed. #FundToLeave

https://t.co/Vf3VUlb5TB