King's College London

Carrying out research with people experiencing multiple exclusion homelessness

This 2022 project was co-led by Jess Harris of HSCWRU and Stan Burridge (Expert Focus), PPIE/Peer Researcher. It was funded by the UKRI Participatory Research Fund and carried out as part of an NIHR School for Social Care Research (SSCR) study focusing on strengthening Adult Safeguarding responses to homelessness and self-neglect.

This participatory learning process was an opportunity for individuals with lived experience to discuss the nature of being involved in research about multiple exclusion homelessness (MEH) and why they and others might feel excluded. It shared positive ideas for including individuals supportively, enabling their voices to be heard and their experiences and opinions to be valued, without exploitation or amplifying trauma.

Methods

The participatory process was captured in a short film which shares the discussion between experts by experience. Participants brought insights from their own lived experiences, which include homelessness and street sleeping, statutory institutional care, domestic violence and drink and drug addiction.

Participants shaped the focus of their conversations, and individually agreed to be named, filmed and recorded, although alternative options were available. They reviewed the draft film and the report, having editorial rights. They have reflected on both the process and the results:

‘I learned a lot from listening to the others’ input and views on the subject, and therefore I took a lot of positivity away.’

‘Was great to be a part of it … a lot of important points have been made.’

The intention is to promote research that is thoughtful and inclusive, and empowering to the individuals who contribute to it.

Related work in homelessness

Martineau, S. J., Cornes, M., Manthorpe, J., Ornelas, B., & Fuller, J. (2019). Safeguarding, homelessness and rough sleeping: An analysis of Safeguarding Adults Reviews. London: NIHR Policy Research Unit in Health and Social Care Workforce, The Policy Institute, King's College London.

Our related project: Strengthening Adult Safeguarding responses to homelessness and self-neglect.